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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.

Tuesday 21 September 2010

BLACK CARD AND AN OLD PAPERBACK

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all well.

The weather has been really lovely here today .. .. I hope it has been where you are too. It certainly makes you feel so good doesn't it?

The only thing I haven't liked though are all the cobwebs that seem to be all over my garden .. .. how many have I walked into today? They seem to be trailing all over the place. I'm just hoping the spiders haven't clung on to me as I have accidentally walked through them? Yuk!!!

I have spent the day catching up on DT work today ready for October. I always feel better when I know I have done these and am happy with them :-)

So after those I decided an experiment was in order .. .. .. could I make something with just a piece of card and an old paperback book?

The answer .. .. well "yes".. .. .. and here it is (showcasing the friend I purchased to go alongside my much loved tattered florals .. .. .. tattered leaves).

Mustn't show hubby this though or he might decide I don't need any more backing papers!! LOL!!!

But you can see .. ..


and the close up



This used:

Sizzix Dies: 656640 "Tattered Florals" and 656927 "Tattered Leaves"
Black Card
An Old Paperback Book
Distress Inks
Clear Embossing Powder
Josy Rose: Nail Heads
Ribbon and Brad from the stash box

I was really pleased with the finished result from a colour and texture point of view. Not sure anyone would actually want to receive it though LOL!!

The various layers of the flower and the leaves were coloured with distress inks.

I heat embossed the leaves by stamping the whole leaf shape with a clear versamark ink pad and heat embossed it using clear embossing powder. Before the powder had time to dry I dipped it in embossing powder again and kept repeating this until I had a lovely gloss on the leaves.

Hopefully you can see the gloss on the close up photograph above. (You have to be careful you don't burn your fingers when doing this .. .. but I love the finished look).

Catch you again tomorrow.

Love Jules xx

24 comments:

Nannieflash said...

Yes Jules you should be proud of it, its stunning what a clever idea to use old books it does a fabulous job, and no mustnt show hubby you might be right he probably would think you didnt need to buy anymore bps. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxx

Netty said...

Totally gorgeous Jules can see the lustre, its great. Took delivery today of both those products at long long last. Cannot wait to have a play. Annette x

G Peplow said...

Hi there Jules, WoW, I love it, you definitely needed that leaf die, 'it's so you' he! he! he!
Love what you've made and anyone would be pleased to receive that card it's beautiful. Thank you for visiting me and your lovely comments:0) xx

Lisa said...

Hi Jules, Wow this is fab! I love the flower and great layout.

Lisa x

Doreen said...

I think lots of people would want to recieve this, it is just adorable,and shows what can be done with a little imagination.

You did make me laugh with your story about the spiders,the ones outside don't worry me it's the ones inside!!!and I swear they are getting bigger. we have been promised a nice day tomorrow so I am planning to do some garden tidying. Have a great evening Jules.xxx

Andria said...

Very creative and very effective.

Eileen said...

Hi Jules love this card and the way youv'e used bookpages to creat it. I'm sure many many people would love to receive this card. Eileen xx

Vicky said...

Jules I just love this card hun!, just love the flower and I would love to receive this gorgeous creation!
My hubby said the same thing to me tonight when I got in from work regarding those little critters, He was going around with a broom today trying to get down the bottom of the garden lol!
Take care hun, love Vicky xx

coops said...

wow!!! this is stunning jules.i just love the flower and the tattered leaves looks fab.how did you get the effect of the water droplets on your flower,it looks amazing :)
i`ve resisted temptation of the leaves so far :)

xx coops xx

lisa said...

I would love to receive it, Jules, it's a gorgeous work of art. Isn't it amazing how effective old books look, although I'm always loath to destroy them!!! Love the glossy leaves. I have singed fingers too after spending the evening embossing.
Know what you mean about the webs. I always think thats a sign of Autumn, a bit like the crows coaring(is that a word?) We get blackbirds in the Spring and Crows in the Autumn.
Enjoy the sunshine tomorrow. I shall be fighting those webs in the garden!!
Hugs Lisax

Lynne K said...

This is fabulous, Jules! I love those tattered leaves. You're braver than I am, though - I still can't bring myself to tear up a book, even an old one! xx

Anonymous said...

awesome way to show off that tattered florals!!!

Yes I used an old paperback novel all the time, just inked or painted etc.

♥Gemma♥ said...

ARGHHHHHH spiders, they are one of my worst fears!!!
Your card is absolutely perfect Jules, your very tallented and inspirational!
hugs and xxx

Little K Smith said...

Oh wow Jules! I LOVE this! What a fabulous idea! Love the colours against the black background! Brilliant! You never fail to inspire me :)
Kelly.x

Milliesmarvels said...

Simply stunning!
Jane
x

Jodi said...

Gorgeous flower Jules!! I love the book pages you used for this too! Such a creative card!
Hugs
Jodi =)

Janice said...

What a great idea to use a paperback for your card Jules. I would love to receive a card like this, so no need to be worrying!

Janice x

Nicola said...

Jules this card is fab. I may have to purchase those leaves to go with my tattered flowers!!! Isn't it great when you can use books for backing papers. I did the same with my old dictionary that was falling apart... Loving the black to so simple but elegant. Hugs Nicola xx

mckinkle said...

Love the stylish flower Jules and it does go to show us all what we can do with basic things, maybe we dont really need all of the crafty stuff after all? Second thoughts.....!!

Ive had a lovely catch up and your festival sounds such a great event and the display in the shop is just beautiful! Your wedding stationery and your sister's bag's compliment each other so beautifully!

Keryn x

Nikbee said...

This is a gorgoeus card Jules. I have so many old books, but could never bring myself to rip them up, even to make a card from.

Nikki x

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Oh it's a stunner Jules! So beautiful!

Hugs
Maarit

Juls said...

wow this is amazing! Love the colours! I love how you have created your own DP's!!! and that flower is just awsome!! Hugs Juls

coldwaters2 said...

Gosh Jules this is a WOW card what a great use for old unwanted books brilliant creativity at work.
hugs
Lorraine x

Jacee said...

Oh wow, this is so, so gorgeous, you clever girl! really fantastic work Jules.

No what you mean about the cobwebs, our gardens just the same right now, it's when they're all over the washing line that I hate it, yuk.