Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

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

April 04, 2017

Tuesday Tutorial - Iron Romance

Hi Everybody,

This is one of the newer dies from Spellbinders and this is called Iron Romance. 
The overall size of the die it about 4 1/2 x 6" so a good one as the complete focal point on your cards
I have used two shades of orange for my design and teamed it with cream for a really bright look
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:

With Matting Basics A and die #7 cut two pieces in cream to create the base card
With Matting Basics B and die #7 cut one layer in the darker shade of orange
With A #6 cut another layer in the paler shade of orange
With B #6 cut another layer in cream 
Cut in cream #3 and #4 dies in the Iron Romance and several of the smaller spiked die
Cut two of the small frame dies and add them around a sentiment
Add foam pads to the back of all the large layers
 Emboss the top layer of cream card.
Flat glue the layers to the base card 
Add the cream layers from the previous step
Arrange the flowers as you like them. 
I have used from left to right:
Carnation, 15 mm Rose, Gypsophila, Iris, Anemone, Geum, Rosebuds, Tulip
Dot with glue and sprinkle with glitter to add sparkle to the petals.
Line the inside to compliment the front 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



April 02, 2017

Ruby Update

Hello Everyone,

Can you believe that I am nearly eight months old already and I now try to be the boss in my house but my mum won't let me.

She says I need to be a well behaved puppy and then she will take me to lots of places that she goes too but only if I am polite

Look how much I have changed in these few months since I cam to live with my mum and dad when I was nine weeks old

I was soooo cute then but now I am simply gorgeous ... don't you think ??


Me and my friend Dougal are starting a new dog training class next month and it is our Bronze Citizens award.

We will get a certificate at the end of it from the Kennel Club  ... if we are well behaved.

We can then go on to the next stage and I will be sure to keep you posted as to how we go on.

When I am a year old I can also go to Agility Training and run up ramps and through hoops and over fences. I will have a ball but my mum will be shattered !!

It's a beautiful day today and our mums took Dougal and me on the beach.

We ran around and played and walked such a long way for two hours.

Then we got back and we had been made clean and tidy with no sand on us we snuggled up on the sofa and had a little sleep.

Isabella came to visit today as she is going to a Christening with her Daddy and Jasmine

She dressed me up in her crown and called  me Princess Ruby ... she thinks I look lovely but I am not too sure !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx