Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

March 04, 2018

Crafti Potential - Stamp Collection - Hearts

Hi Everybody,

This week has seen the exciting addition of some new stamps from my lovely friend Christine Smith.

Many of you will know of her from our YouTube collaborations and her blog is

She makes the most amazing cards and we have completely different styles.

But working with her stamps has been really good and they can fit my style very easily.

There are eight new A6 stamps and there is sure to be something that you like.

Here I have used the hearts and the video will show you how I created this card.

It's not long but I hope you enjoy it all the same 


I have more videos to add using some of the other stamps from Christine's collection and we are also planning another collaboration video where we will use both of our collections together and see what we come up with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 03, 2018

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

For the last few Saturdays I have told you that it was raining here in Blackpool. Well today when the rest of the country is struggling with the snow .... we haven't got one flake of the stuff. Apart from waking up Tuesday morning to see everything covered white, we have escaped the worst. And the snow on Tuesday soon went and we have had nothing since.

Living by the coast helps to keep it away as the salt air does something to snow and it very rarely sticks for long here.  So when it rains I am merely passing on what the weather is doing .... it's not a complaint and I am very happy that the snow has left us in peace. 
Now having said that it will be six foot deep next week !!

The draw for the card and gift from yesterday has been done from the comfort of my warm and cosy house and the name this week is YOU ....

Margaret Wilson
so if you could email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
they will be on their way to you straight away
Please let me know when you have them safe and sound

Next week I have some lovely vidoes coming up for you to view introducing the brand new collection at Craft Stash from Crafti Potential and next Fridays "Give Away" is a large fun stamp set from Creative Stamping. So I hope you will come back and join me to see whats going on 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 02, 2018

Friday Freebie - All Occasions Stamps

Hi Everybody,

On offer today is another A4 stamp set and this it the  All Occasions Stamps

There are some beautiful stamps and sentiments here to grace any of your designs and you are sure to have fun playing with it.

The video to show this set is All Occasions Stamps  and it is not long so I hope you will take a look to remind you of the tutorial.

Now if you would like to win this ever useful set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

 From those comments one name will be drawn and the winner announced to tomorrows blog. Be sure to come back tomorrow to check if you are the winner.

  Craft Room Sale Day 
and the date is going to be the 18th March 2018
If you emailed me about this then I will send you the address and for others that are interested then please email me 
christina@card-making-magic.com

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 01, 2018

Altenew Layering Dies

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for the response to my
  Craft Room Sale Day 
and the date is going to be the 18th March 2018
If you emailed me about this then I will send you the address and for others that are interested then please email me 
christina@card-making-magic.com

Here is another of the layering dies from Altenew and I have really enjoyed playing with these.

They have quite a hefty price tag on them so they wont be every bodies cup of tea but I thought they looked so versatile and can make a card very quickly.

I chose a pale blue and mint green for this card but it would look really special with glitter card added to one of the layers

The addition of a few sequins dotted around are my finishing touch

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 28, 2018

Creative Stamping 54 - Life's an Adventure

Hi Everybody,

Another fabulous A4 stamp set is free with this months Creative Stamping 54

It covers many forms of travel and will suit any age group and occasions as well as both men and women.

Plus I am in the magazine this month
WHAT more could you wish for !!!

So here is my video with this free gift and it will be on sale tomorrow in selected supermarkets and craft stores.

Keep a look out for the pack or order a regular subscription from MoreMags.com and then you will always be sure of your copy and of building up your own personal stamp collection.


The stamps are on a different theme each month with a featured designer in the top right hand corner so keep a look out for your favourite one.

Hot Off The Press is this months and there is a bonus paper pack to go with the stamps

And what a really good way to build up your collection with all these stamps, papers and a magazine to boot.

February 27, 2018

Colouring Vellum Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Many of you have been enjoying the parchment/
vellum flowers and butterflies that I have been making lately.

So I thought I would show you how I coloured the plain white vellum to suit my designs

It is not an expensive product to work with and you can alter it so very easily and it doesn't matter if it goes blotchy  it all adds to the effect.

The blue flowers are the ones I created in the video and I think this card is lovely with a really delicate look to it.

It would be suitable for any occasion with a change of sentiment.

Here  I have used the dies, stamps and embossing folder from the "Christina Collection" that is available with Craft Stash.




I hope you enjoy the video today and will give these lovely flowers a try for your self, it's not long but long enough for a cuppa.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 25, 2018

Ruby Update and a question ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is Ruby having a cuddle of dad just before we go out for the day. And she looks very contented too.

I can't remember the days before we had her and she has changed our lives so much in the past year.

Question ??

So the question I wanted to ask is mainly aimed at the people who live in and around Blackpool/ North West and who like to craft.

I have been having a really good clean in my craft room and I have sorted out lots of items that I now no longer use. Much of it is unused and still in packets or used only once.

And so I wondered if I should have a  Craft Room Sale Day and invite people to come along and see if there was anything that they wanted to buy. I have dies and punches, embossing folders, die cutting machines, lots of crafting goodies and far too much to mention here.

I even have the complete set of Spectrum Noir pens and the refills if any one is interested in them

I can't send the big stuff abroad as it would cost too much but if you live near me and would like to come along then please let me know at 
christina@card-making-magic.com 
and if there is enough interest then I will make a Sunday free within the next couple of weeks.

The time will be 10.30 till 4pm and I will even provide tea and coffee and maybe the odd biscuit or two. But please be advised that my craft room is at the top of the house with two flights of stairs to climb ... but well worth it when you get there

Let me know what you think please and if you would like to come along

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


February 24, 2018

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I was up early this morning and the sun was shining.... which makes a change from the past few Saturdays. Ruby is already out walking with Griff and tomorrow we are going to go out for Sunday lunch to a dog friendly place in Lytham so she can come with us.  It's going to be a good weekend.

The draw for the card and gift from yesterday has already been done and the name chosen today is YOU ...
Kath
would you send me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and both will be on their way to you straight away.

You have 72 hours in which to claim the prize and please let me know that they arrive safely with you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 23, 2018

Friday Freebie - Dragonfly Dreams

Hi Everybody,

Lots of people love butterflies but this dragonfly is also very pretty and will decorate your cards to perfection.

The video to show this gift was Dragonfly Dreams and I am adding it here to refresh your memory.

So if this is a die and stamp set that you would like to add to your collection then all you need to do is leave m a comment. 

 In tomorrows blog post a name will be announced as the winner and so you need to come back and check if it is you. 

You will have 72 hours in which to claim the gift and then it will be offered to someone else at a later date. So don't miss out 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 22, 2018

Tonic Studios Kit 07

Hi Everybody,


Today I am sharing the latest craft kit from Tonic and this is 07 for March.

There are such a lot of dies in this kit that you will be able to mix and match to your hearts content.

There are two distinct styles ... one square and the other rectangle with beautiful shapes to ad as toppers




It is called Picture Frame and here I have used it as a frame on a card front. But it would look lovely with a photo behind it as a free standing frame.

To be sure that you always get your kit then why not subscribe and have it delivered to your door each month.

Here are the links for you  ... 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 21, 2018

Simply Cards & Papercraft 174

Hi Everybody,

The free gift with this months Simply Cards & Papercraft is this lovely Layered Rose Die Set from Altenew

It will create the most beautiful flowers for you to add to your projects and it is really easy to do.


Maybe in the past you have tried to use the stamps that are layered and not enjoyed the intricacy of them.  Well all the work is taken out of layering with this die set ... and there is a free paper download to help you even more.

The video will show you how to use the dies and I promise you are going to love the flowers and as long as you use three different shades of your chosen colour then you will get the layered look you desire and be very happy with the result

The magazine will be on sale on the 22nd February so if you want this dies set then you will need to be quick as it is going to be very popular. 
Reserve a copy with your newsagent or to be sure that you always get yours delivered to your door then why not consider taking out a subscription at  http://www.moremags.com

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 20, 2018

Frilly Flowers & Acetate Leaves

Hi Everybody,

I have been looking at other ways in which to use the flower stamps and dies from the "Christina Collection"

And with this one I was really pleased with the result.

The video is a bit longer than usual but I have lined the inside and created the box to go with it and that takes the time up.

And because of the amount of noise near my house the day I filmed it I have added  more of the music to the film.

I have tried to pick a relaxing piece but for those of you who don't like the music my apologies ...  it was needed today

I hope you will enjoy it all the same and the finished card is lovely with the delicate acetate leaves.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 19, 2018

Altenew Layered Plaid

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is using the new Layered Plaid die that I bought this week and that I promised to show you.

It comes in two parts to create the look and I think it is absolutely lovey. You would get a different effect by changing the colours each time.

Vary the look with glitter or mirror card and dress anyway you like.

For my card I have used the flowers and leaves from the Layered Flowers in the "Christina Collection"

And the leaves are done on acetate as I have shown you in other videos.

The "Hello" die is also from Altenew and has a matching stamp set with various add on sentiments to it 

And if you like Altenew products then come back on Wednesday to see the free gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft and you wont be disappointed 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


February 18, 2018

Aldi Brushes ...

Hi Everybody,

A little while I told you about this fabulous find in Aldi of these brushes that are perfect for blending inks.

I bought loads of them to use with my Distress Oxides and they were so good I went back the next day and bought some more.

I got the small brushes at three in a a pack for £2.99

But where to store them was the next step and so I bought this square glass vase and it holds them perfectly so that they can sit on my worktop

At the moment there are thirty in the container and that is enough for me to use with my Oxide inks

You can clean the ink off the brushes with paper towels or baby wipes so that you can use another shade on the same brush.

By that I mean I would stick to shades of one colour and not change the colours completely.

Two shades of pink wont make that much difference but if you add a blue and then blend with a yellow you could get a green and if that is not what you wanted on your project then .....  OOOOOOPPPPSSS !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


February 17, 2018

Card Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a busy week I have had and now over the weekend I have some time to play. I have got some lovely new Altenew Dies and I can wait to see what they produce. I will of course be showing you the card once I have made them.

But for now the draw has been done for the Altenew Mistletoe Kisses gift from yesterday and the name chosen at random is YOU ...

Thelma Welch
please email me with your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and they will be on their way to you straight away.

You have 72 hours in which to claim them and I hope you will like them once they arrive with you. 
Please let me know that you have them safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx