Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

July 13, 2016

Wednesday Water Colour - Sketched Elephants

Hi Everybody,

For this Water Colour Wednesday we have a video tutorial on YouTube showing you how I created this card.

This is  Sketched Elephants  from Whimsy Stamps and I have also used Spectrum Noir pens to create the hills

It is a delightful stamp set that has it's own matching dies but you could always just fussy cut the image out if you don't have them.

I have added the list of supplies at the bottom of the post  ... but shop around for them as you may find them cheaper.

I have done quite a few water colour videos lately and they will be added each week on YouTube and each will cover a different stamp and die set

Thank you if you have subscribed to my channel it is very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy the latest colouring videos

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 12, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Fairmont Deco Accent

Hi Everybody,

For todays tutorial I am using the 6x6 Matting Basics along with one of the newer Spellbinders dies and I have done the card in a pretty turquoise and white using only the dies and a little ribbon
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
Instructions:
With die #8 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces of card in white.
Score one of them about half an inch down from the top and add glue along the scored part.
Add the second piece of card to the glued area to create a top folded base card
(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)
With die #8 from Matting basics B cut a layer in turquoise 
Use die #5 from the Fairmont Labels to cut another layer in turquoise
Cut one of each of the dies from the Fairmont Deco Accents in white
Glue the large turquoise panel to the base card
Wrap ribbon around the largest panel from the patterned pieces and add foam tape to the back then add to the card
Layer up the smaller turquoise panel with foam pads and add the next panel from the Deco Accents also with foam pads
The foam pads that I use are only 1mm thick but they give a nice dimension to the card
Cut some of your foam pads to fut neatly behind the smallest panel and add that to the centre of the card
Cut the sentiment in turquoise card and double sided adhesive sheet and layer together onto the centre of the card front
Tie a double bow and add to the side of the card front
I secured my bow in place with a hot glue gun

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 10, 2016

Some News ....

Hi Everybody,

This has been a really busy week for both my "Film Crew" and me as we have been creating videos to add to my YouTube Channel  and I hope you will enjoy them if you pop over to view. Altogether I have done nine projects but they are for a special reason.

One of the exciting new things to happen to me in the past few weeks is that I have been approached by Practical Publishing to create videos using the free gifts that come attached to their magazines. The videos that have gone out are for mags that are currently on sale in the UK and the gifts are a lovely addition to your crafting "Stash"

I will be doing these regularly and adding them to YouTube. So why not pop over there and subscribe to my channel so that  you never miss one

The magazines that I have featured are ...

Simply Cards & Papercrafts  (SC&P)
Papercraft Essentials     (PE)
Die Cutting Essentials  (DCE)
The Cardmakers Collection  (TCC)  which is complete kit.

If you wanted any of these magazines then visit More Mags  and save money on your subscription and get it delivered to your door each month.


The first two videos are using the Butterfly stamps, dies and embossing folder that came with SC&P 151 and PE 134 and I have tried to use different ideas than the ones in the magazine.

The second group of three are using the Build a Cupcake kit in TCC 5 and these are really some fun ideas for this set

I have also added a video using the free Sue Wilson die Delicate Adornments that is with DCE 12
And last but not least the third set of videos use the Totally Tropical Stamp, Die and embossing folders that came with PE 135 and I have used this set in ways other than their intended

I have also added three more for the Craft Stash website and as soon as I have the links for them I will pass it on to you.

So twelve videos in less than a week has been one mammoth task and there is more to come in the future.

I will add all the individual links to each of the videos in to the  Video Tutorials in the title bar at the top of each page

Wish me luck on yet another new adventure 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

.

July 09, 2016

Todays Winner

Hi Everybody,

Well guess what ???? It''s raining here. Whatever happened to our summer? 
This is a day to cosy up in the house and take a break.  All my shopping has been done earlier in the week and so it can be chill out time today.  I hope you all have a good weekend doing the things you enjoy with the people that you love the most.

A name has been chosen for the die and card that were offered yesterday and it is yours 

Cheryl Dove

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

I hope you will like both the card and the gift and put the die to good use on your cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 08, 2016

Friday Freebie - Card & Die 2

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I am offering you the chance to win this pretty pink desgin

Also the die set called   Treat Toppers

This will create some pretty little embellishments for your cards and you will think of other ways to make it work for you too

The card itself is pink and white with white ribbon threaded through the edge.

I have added in some lovely flowers along the top edge and they have been sparkled.

If you would like to win this set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post and then pop back in the morning to see if it is your name that is on the page

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 07, 2016

Using Ink Dusters

Hi Everybody,

Do you sometimes find it difficult to blend inks and get a good result?

I know many people struggle with blending tools or the Cut 'n Dry pads as they sometimes make the ink blotchy on your cards

Ink Dusters could be your answer and they have been around for a long time and they are really useful at getting that water based ink to mix

Hopefully this video will show you how easy they are to use ... Distress Inks and Stencils



I have used Distress Inks here and in the video I tell you the colours that I used. My stencil is from AnnaMarie Designs

There is also a product list at the bottom of the post.

These are very easy to use and I would advise you to start off very lightly and build up the colours as you need

I bought mine from Inkylicous and they are  a UK company.

The bristles very soft to help blend easily. The inks may stain the bristles but as long as you clean them on a paper towel then the ink shouldn't transfer.

You can wash them in warm soapy water but allow them to dry completely and naturally before you use them again

Try to keep one end for each colour group and that should help a lot.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



July 06, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Brusho Crystals

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I got out the Burshos again to make a really simple purple background for my design

Once the card was dry I just cut out the circle ... and kept it for another project

Behind the aperture I added in some embossed parchment and then placed foam tape around the sides of the card

I also put some around the aperture to support it then added it to a white top folded card base.

The diamante flourish is from  Want2Scrap  and I cut in two and added it so that it looks as if it runs through the sentiment.

The finished card is 5x7 and it really is a simple card ... with no flowers anywhere to be seen.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 05, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - A2 sized card

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I am going to make use of those A2 Matting Basics that you may have in your "Stash"  I am also incorporating some of the Distressed Edges that I must admit to not having used for a long time. I am keeping this as a clean and simple card.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die #8 from the A set cut two in cream and Create a Hinged card
With #7 from Distressed Edges cut one in turquoise
With #7 from Matting Basics A cut a layer in cream
With #8 from Matting Basics B cut a layer in turquoise
With #6 from Distressed Edges cut the last layer in cream.
(Die #1 is always the smallest)
Emboss the last two layers that you have cut and  use a different pattern on each one.
Layer together with foam tape in between 
With the double ended tag I have cut this twice and glued them together for strength
Add to the previous layers with foam tape and wrap all these layers with Bakers Twine splaying out the strands as you go.
Tie a knot where they cross over and add in your charm, tying in another knot to keep the charm in place.  
Finish by tying a small bow in the twine. 
Dot with a little glue to stop the bow untying 
Flat glue the cream and turquoise middle layers together and add to the base card with foam tape.
Add the embossed panel to the top of these and then add all to the base card ... making sure that you have everything the correct way round
Cut the sentiment three times and glue together for strength and then with your scissors divide the words and add to the front panel of your card
I have added in no other embellishments to this card and although there is depth to it you will still be able to get it into a standard sized envelope

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




July 04, 2016

Circle Card - Shabby Chic

Hi Everybody,

This card is a little bigger as I have used die #2 from the Grand Circle to create the base.

The background is some Digital paper that I have stored on my PC and can print off whenever I need some fresh ones

I have teamed the lilac with large cream organza roses and cut one of them in half and used it to fill the distressed edges to the paper.

The flower display compliments the card and the metal pieces give it an antique look

I dotted around the edges and the petals with Gold Stickles and I am quite pleased with the end result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 02, 2016

Todays Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

What a good response for the card and die this week so Thank You if you have left your comment. It is nice to know that you are out there and if you haven't won this week please pop by next Friday for another chance to win a card and die set.

This afternoon my "Film Crew" will be setting up the cameras as we have a lot of videos to get ready so after this post is done it will be ".... Camera ... Action ... Roll ..."

Tomorrow I will be having a well earned day off and maybe some roast beef out somewhere for Sunday Lunch

So the draw has been done and the winner this week is you ...

Betty McAlister
please send me your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on its way to you straight away.

I hope you like it and I hope you will let me know when you have it with you

Another offer next week

Hugs xx

July 01, 2016

Friday Freebie - Card & Die 1

Hi Everybody,

Every Friday I have given away one of the cards that I make and this week is no exception

The difference is that for the whole of July I will will be giving away a Celebrations die with each card

You will be able to add some pretty embellishments to your cards with any of the dies that will be on offer.

This first one is the Rosette Blooms and there are two dies in this set. The card has been water coloured with Distress Inks in one of my favorite colour combinations of yellow and pink.

So that is five Fridays with the chance to win a card and a Spellbinders die each week and all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

Don't forget to come back in the morning and check if it is YOU

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx