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A very warm welcome to my teeny, tiny part of the huge world of blogging. This is where I share my passion for making hand made greeting cards. So - why "Always with a Heart"? Well this is for two reasons. Firstly, it is because every card I produce carries a heart on it somewhere. This can be big and bold or small and almost hidden - the fun sometimes is just trying to find it! Secondly it is because I put my heart into everything I produce. I hope that any visitors enjoy seeing what I post. If you drop by then please leave me a comment so that I know you called. It would be nice to know that you have found my heart in what I do.

Monday 30 August 2010

TIME TO START CHRISTMAS IN EARNEST!

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a lovely Bank Holiday break.

For me the time has come to start my Christmas cards in earnest .. .. .. my customers have started asking for them .. .. .. and they want lots!! Eeek!!! Good job I enjoy making them !!

Clearly everyone but me is getting organised early this year.

This card is one of my first batches for this year - super quick and with cupcakes being the "in thing" at the moment I can see these being quite popular. The digi images come with holly decoration for Christmas cupcakes and cherries, candles and flowers for birthdays!!



and the close up




This used:

Backing Papers: Pink Petticoat "Fairy Lights" (half price for the next few hours)
Image: Pink Petticoat Image Download " Cupcakes"
Nestabilities: Classic Scalloped Rectangles Small
Josy Rose: Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Glamour Dust
Glossy Accents
Ribbon from the stash box

Just great for these batch makes.

Now back to last night's soup. It was so yummy it has gone on the list for the Christmas soup starter this year.

I received a few comments and emails asking for the recipe so I thought I would share it here:

Courgette Soup

Ingredients
60ml olive oil
1 onion sliced
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1kg courgettes roughly chopped
350ml chicken or vegetable stock (I used vegetable)
350ml water
60ml single cream
6 springs of fresh dill
50g fresh parmesan cheese, grated (I used dried parmesan and it was fine)
salt and pepper to taste
honey to taste

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over a moderate heat

2. Add the onions and sweat them until they become translucent

3. Continue trying the onions and at the garlic and cook for a further minute

4. Add the courgettes, stock, water and cream and stir together well

5. Bring to the boil and then leave to simmer gently for 20 mins

6. Add the dill and parmesan

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste

8. Transfer to a food processor to blend (I used a hand blender in the saucepan)

9. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If it lacks sweetness add a little honey to draw out the sweetness of the vegetables.

The recipe cooked enough for 3 good portions yesterday and then we re-heated the leftovers and had another two good servings at lunch time today with some warm bread. Mmmm... super yummy!!!

Let me know if you have a try!! I got the recipe from http://www.videojug.com/

Have a lovely rest of the evening everyone.

Catch you again tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

21 comments:

G Peplow said...

Hi Jules, love your Christmas card, it's perfect, love the colours and delicate image:D The soup sounds wonderful, thank you for the recipe we may give it a try, apparently I'm going to be getting some from my daughter-in-law tomorrow! there must be a surplus:D xx

Little K Smith said...

Hi Jules
This is a lovely card, love the sweet image :)
Good luck with the rest of your crimbo cards!
Thank you for the recipe too, will be making notes of it for hubby to cook! :D
Kelly.x

coops said...

gorgeous card jules,the image is fab and i love the layout and the lovely sparkle on the cake.

xx coops xx

Unknown said...

Hi Jules
what a beautiful card love those papers and the image and bow go so well with them, the soup sounds gorgeous I love courgettes with garlic.
Christine x

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

really pretty image hun, have just asked our Didge to change her 'Mom's Cupcake' into a crimbo one...wil let you know when she does lol
fab card
soup kinda sounds yummy but me no likey courgett things
hugs shell xx

♥Gemma♥ said...

What a beautiful christmas card and love the papers and the image you have used!!
hugs
xgemmax

AuniLeigh said...

Christmas is approaching fast! Adorable card!

Thanks for the soup recipe. I will save it for the weekend its supposed to drop down to 72 degrees in Michigan. That's the norm usually this time of year. But until the weekend comes we are at a very muggy 90-92 degrees all week. Egads!

Thanks again!

slinkycat said...

gorgeous christmas card! I love the cupcake!

Leanne x

Doreen said...

You are a star !!!!
First- your card is gorgeous a great idea a cupcake it looks fabulous
Second- I had a fabulous weekend thank you
Third- I have taken your recipe and I am going to make it for me and my other half.
Thank you
Doreen
xxx

Delphine said...

Gorgeous card, Jules! I really like the image and the colours of your card! Beautiful paper and great layout too! And thanks for sharing your recipe:-) Hugs Delphine xx

Nikbee said...

I love your card. The paper is great. The soup sounds tasty. I now need to persuade hubby he really does like courgettes!

Nikki x

Anonymous said...

I'm trying desperately to get christmas cards done too!!!

Anonymous said...

Swell Card love the pudding image!!!

Netty said...

Terrific start to the Christmas Cards Jules. Great soup recipe as well, although I am hooked on Vindaloo Vegtable Soup....I know weird on what........lol Annette x

Unknown said...

Fab Jules, simple but very effective. Loving the soup, off to print the recipe. x

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

fabulous contempary Christmas card, very classy. Soup sounds yummy. janex

Andria said...

How different but beautiful I love that stamp. Thanks for the soup recipe too.

Nannieflash said...

Hi Jules, yes I think we all feel its time to make a start on the Xmas cards, so will have to take your advice. Love your card that image is yummy and the papers gorgeous as is the receipe. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx

Kerry said...

Hi Jules,

I love this card. Really great image and fun papers.

Love Kerry xxx

chris said...

Hi Jules, fabulous christmas card, love it.
hugs chris xx

XxJULESxX said...

love this what a fab design!!! beautiful!