My photo
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 31 May 2011

SIMPLES !!!

Hi Everyone

Well I thought I was never going to get here today.

The late evening sunshine lured me outside to plant the runner beans into the garden and get the tomato plants potted up into their "grown up" size pots .. .. as well as put shading up to one half of the greenhouse.   The shading for the other half will have to wait until tomorrow.  I think I should have posted first!!  LOL!!!

Oh well I am here now with my little "simples" share






This used:

Image:  This one I have had quite a while purchased from a lady called Sandra Dry .. .. but I cannot see a link to it for you.
Backing Papers:  Funky Fairy (no longer trading)
Sentiment:  Computer generated
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Crystal Stickles

So I'm afraid most of what I have used on this creation is probably no longer available .. but I thought you might like to see it anyway.

I still need to have my bath and get something to eat so won't hang about tonight.

Hopefully I will be a little earlier tomorrow.

Love

Monday 30 May 2011

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

Well .. .. the end of the long bank holiday weekend is nearly over :-(  .. .. .. so what happens ?  the sun finally makes an appearance.

What is that all about?  Rain for the majority of the three day weekend and then sunshine when we get to around 6.00pm?

Oh well!!  At least it will have done the reservoir levels good.  My water butt is nearly ready for overflowing!!

Today I have spent some time tidying my little craft pod.  Hubby went back to the closing down DIY store again and came back with a small three drawer set of drawers that will fit nicely under my desk.  Nothing like a bit of extra storage space to encourage a clear up and re-organisation campaign.  (He didn't bring any wallpaper back this time either LOL!!).

Also a little play for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where this week the theme is "one for the girlies".  I know this isn't super girlie but I am sure it will count as none of the males in my family would want to receive it that's for sure LOL!!

So here is my make:




This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3636K" Flying Stars
Backing Paper:  Funky Hand CD "Funky Seasons"
Martha Stewart Punch:  Frond
Woodware Punches:  Daisy (3 sizes)
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Big and Juicy Stamp Pad
Seafoam Embossing Powder
Crystal Stickles (which aren't quite dry)
Papermania Raffia

I have done a few cards with this technique but have always stamped my image in black ink .. .. I decided to have a go with white embossing powder just for a change.  Not sure which I like best, black or white!!  I suppose it is nice to like both.

Have a lovely evening everyone.  I am going off for a little bit of torture treatment now .. .. shirt ironing .. .. yuk!!!!!

See you again tomorrow.

Love

Sunday 29 May 2011

JULES' SUNDAY SNIPPET CHALLENGE - WEEK 21

Hi Everyone

I hope I find you all fit and well .. .. and if not that you feel better quickly.

I have had a lovely Sunday so far.  I woke up to rain on the window .. .. so no gardening for me!!  I have spent the day pottering about the house and creating in my little craft pod.

Today my snippets have met my sewing machine .. just for a change .. and they seemed to get along very nicely!!

I am pleased with all of my creations but may have gone a bit overboard with the last one LOL!!!

See what you think?  It was my blue and brown little drawers that were the hardest to close  this week so those are the colours I chose to work with today. 

















Now to anyone who is new to my blog I extend a big welcome to you and thought I should just explain what happens on my blog on a Sunday.

Sunday is a day when I don't allow myself to use anything new.  No cutting into new sheets of papers or card.  No cutting ribbon off a reel and I tend not to use images that need colouring .. .. I just try and concentrate on using up all the part used papers and card I have around and about my craft space .. .. .. what I call my "snippets".  I don't list what I have used to make my creations as they are normally a mixture of bits and bobs from everywhere - but if there is something in particular on any of my creations you would like to know about then just shout up and I will try and help.

People have been saying that I must be starting to get down my snippets now.  But sadly not.  As quick as I use them up I make more and also I am finding that I am using only part of a snippet so I am getting left smaller and smaller snippets.  Eeekk!!!

I think I need to have a heart and flower punching session to get rid of some of the small bits that are hanging about.

So who kept me company by using up their snippets this week?

Well first was my lovely playmate Andria who made the most gorgeous stepper card. Just perfect for using up some of those smaller pieces.  I still need to try and make one of these.

Andria was super good this week though because not only was she the first person to take part .. .. she decided to play twice!!  Here you will find Andria's second make. 

I feel quite honoured that Andria is inspired to use up her snippets as she is now a magazine celebrity.  She has a card in this month's Papercraft Essentials.  Well done Andria!!

Next to play along this week was Mandy who used the most gorgeous papers on her creation .. .. super bling .. .. and the most gorgeous butterfly.  Thank you for the inspiration Mandy.

Then finally Lynne joined in the fun.  Not only was this a brilliant card .. .. it was part of a brilliant post too and took quite a few of us down memory lane.  I love all the punched layers on Lynne's card .. .. not too sure about Justin Bieber .. .. but then I am a million years too old for him LOL!!!  I even had to check how to spell his name!!!  That's how sad I am!!

So thank you very much ladies for making me feel I am not the only one who has lots of precious bits of paper and card that cannot be thrown away.

If you get chance to visit these ladies blogs then don't just look at the snippet makes .. .. they have other gorgeous creations and posts on view too.  This is a lovely way of meeting new talented blog buddies.

If anyone fancies playing along this week then simply link up below and folks can come and seek out your inspiration.

Have a lovely evening .. .. I have really enjoyed making today's creations.  I hope you like them.

Love



Saturday 28 May 2011

TEDDY BO CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

How was your Saturday?  Good I hope?

Mine started off very lazy .. .. .. I didn't wake up until 9.30am which is one heck of a "lie-in" when you are normally awake at 6.00am!!!!

Today I have made a card which will fit nicely into the Teddy Bo Challenge.  The theme is that your creations has to be "Teddy Bo only"  .. ..   so no other images .. .. it is Teddy Bo in the limelight and how gorgeous is he!!

Yesterday I treated myself to a few Teddy Bo and Teddy Bea images ready for some lovely colouring sessions over the weekend. 

So here is my first Teddy Bo creation. 




This used:

Image:  Teddy Bo "Gone Fishing"
Backing Papers:  Aimee Asher
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Ransome Note"
ProMarkers
Chalks
Gloss Accents (on my fish but you may not be able to see it in the photograph)
Cord and charm from the stash box

So today we have had lots of rain.  We thought there would be little chance of gardening so instead went off to a local DIY store that is closing down .. .. .. just in case we could bag a few bargains. 

We managed a few good buys (all garden related) but I had to laugh at my lovely hubby.  He sauntered really slowly all around the store taking everything in as if he was the world's best DIY expert (I wish) .. .. .. but as we arrived at the wallpaper .. .. well I have never seen him move so fast in all my life.  He was obviously worried I might see some paper I fancied LOL!!! 

Off to link up now and then hopefully have a nice blog hop.

Love

Friday 27 May 2011

MUCH GIFTED

Hi Everyone

Here at last .. .. a little later than I intended .. .. but hey .. ..it is a Bank Holiday weekend you know and it has started already!!  Woo hoo!!!  Life slows down a little as of now .. .. well for a few days anyway.

Not sure what our weather is going to be doing but hopefully it will be nice enough to get a bit of gardening done .. .. and that is all that is planned.  Everything else will just happen when it does.  I love weekends like these .. .. especially long ones LOL!!! 

So round to my share for today.  A little on the bright side I'm afraid!!






This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3212K" Much Gifted
Backing Papers:  DCWV Citrus Stack
Sentiment:  Quickutz Katie Alphabet
Sizzix Die:  Stars #2
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Crystal Stickles
Cord and Button from the stash box

I brought my Quickutz out of retirement today .. .. including an upper and lower case alphabet set .. .. I can remember being a bit disappointed about how fiddly the letters were to attach when I bought it many, many, many years ago and how I used to get glue everywhere  .. .. but of course now I have quickie glue pens!!  Yay!!!  Much, much easier and definitely going to be put back into use more regularly.

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend everyone.

Catch you again tomorrow.

Love


Thursday 26 May 2011

BE YOURSELF

Hi Everyone

I hope today has been a good one for you.  I also hope that some of you have now been able to make friends a little with Mr Blogger following that little tip of earlier today.

Very wet, cold and windy here .. .. .. and I was actually pleased to see the rain!!  Can you believe that .. .. someone in England pleased to see rain!!!!  Never heard of before I bet LOL!!

Just a quick post and share from me today as I am running very late.



This creation used:

Images and sentiment:  Hero Arts "CL338" Clear Stamp Set "Be Yourself"
Backing Paper:  Memory Stor
Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive and Frayed Burlap (all added to the leaf image and sprayed with water before stamping)
Koh-I-Noor Pencils
ProMarkers
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
White Gel Pen used to outline the leaves

So that is me for today.

Time to go and make something scrummy to eat.

See you tomorrow.

Love

I CAN VISIT AND LEAVE COMMENTS IF .. .. .. ..

Hi Everyone

I read a tip on the blog of my lovely blog buddy "Doreen" last night which says .. .. ..

If when logging in you "un-tick" the "keep me signed in" box Mr Blogger is happy and lets you play in blogland!!  :-)

I tried this last night and this morning and woo hoo ... I have been able to visit and leave comments.

Just thought I would share this here in case it isn't common knowledge.

Apparently Doreen got the tip from Kevin.  Thank you so much to both of you.

I have put a link to both of their blogs as I feel they may have saved blogland from lots of bald headed bloggers as I am sure we have all been tearing our hair out.

I hope it works for you too.

See you later with my share of the day.

Love

Wednesday 25 May 2011

ALF WITH HIS BEER

Hi Everyone

What on earth is Mr Blogger up to?

How come I can visit and comment on some blogs and not on others?  I sit and write my comment and first I get changed into an anonymous visitor and if I click edit to be "un-anonymous" (LOL!!) I am asked to sign in again and the whole saga starts again.

Then I visit someone else and he is happy for me to be me!!

Clearly the get well card I made for Mr Blogger the other week has not done the trick .. .. that or he was more poorly than I first thought!

Anyway, round to today's share.

It is just a quick post today as most of my makes have been orders that I can't share .. .. but this one is OK.






This used:

Image:  Digistamp Boutique "Alf with Beer"
Backing Paper:  Aimee Asher
Sentiment:  Computer generated onto digi image
Martha Stewart Punch:  Embossed Zig-Zag
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers and chalks

and that is me for today.

Hopefully Mr Blogger will allow me to visit all the blogs I haven't been able to get on recently.

But of course tonight is Wednesday, which means it is The Apprentice .. .. woo hoo!!!   Plus I have been a bit naughty and wangled it so that it falls as being hubby's night to cook  too .. .. double woo hoo!!!

See you tomorrow

Love

Tuesday 24 May 2011

STAMP FAIRY CHALLENGE MEETS FUNKY HAND

Hi Everyone

Hope you are all well and haven't been blown away by the wind .. .. unlike one of hubby's T shirts that I needed to rescue from down the garden today LOL!!!

I managed a clean bill of health at the dentist last night which was good news.  I remember at one time being frightened of the dentist and what they might do .. .. I out grew that a while ago and now I am just frightened of what treatment they might suggest and how much it might cost!!!  The worrying part was they were advertising interest free loans .. .. it is a bit scary when you need to take out a loan to have your teeth sorted.  No wonder lots of people are no longer going.  Anyway, I won't get on my soap box with this or I will be here all night LOL!!

Instead I will share my Stamp Fairy Challenge entry for this week.  I am certainly getting a bit addicted to this challenge and the lovely characters.  This week the theme is "balloons" and here is my creation:





This used:

Backing papers:  Funky Hand (will tell you more about these below)
Image:  The Stamp Fairy "Lenny Happy New Year"
Sentiment:  Kollette Hall "Party"  (stamped onto shrink plastic)
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Sizzix Die:  Stars #2
ProMarkers and chalks
Ribbon and Bitton from the stash box

I also made it to the top three in this challenge last week so have gained another lovely blinkie .. .. (thank you ladies xx).



So back now to those lovely Funky Hand papers.

The patterned paper I took from the Funky Hand CD "V Funky" and the gorgeous patterned kraft paper that is in the background is Anice's freebie for this month's challenge over at Get Funky!

My lovely team mate Kathy has set the challenge this time round with a scrummy recipe.  Why not pop over and see what inspiration my team mates have come up with so far and perhaps use the free paper to take part?  It would be lovely to see you over there.

Plus, whilst talking of my Funky teamies Jenny is giving away some gorgeous little pouches full of goodies.  Super simple to enter and win so why not pop over and see her here.  Good luck if you enter.  There are three prizes and they are super cute and lovely.  Thanks Jenny xx

So that is me for tonight .. .. .. hurray I hear you say!!!  LOL!!!

I will catch you again tomorrow.

Love

Monday 23 May 2011

BOY DID IT RAIN !!

Hi Everyone

Well I don't know about your neck of the woods but we have had rain like I haven't seen in a long time today.

It started off as just the odd few spots on the window and I toyed with the idea of fetching my washing in or leaving it out (thinking it won't be much) .. .. .. phew !!  thank goodness I chose to bring it in or I would have been very unhappy!!

I bet the garden is chuffed though because the heavens just opened.  Lots more lovely water in my water butt and in the watering cans .. .. yippee!!

Anyway time for my share which was inspired by my blog buddy Kaz My Mum wanted a card for her Great-Granddaughter and when I saw Kaz's lovely creation I thought that would be just perfect (thank you Kaz xx). 

So here we go:






This used:

Images:  Penny Black "1451F" Bear Blank 2 and "1453C" Bear Blank 4
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Backing Papers:  Aimee Asher

Martha Stewart Punch:  Valentine Lace
ProMarkers
X-Cut Punch:  Small Flower
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads

Glamour Dust

So that is me for today.  Nice and early because I have the dentist tonight for a check up.  These six monthly appointments seem to come round very, very quickly if you ask me .. .. I am sure I was only there a few weeks ago LOL!!!

Have a great evening everyone - see you again tomorrow.

Love

Sunday 22 May 2011

JULES' CRAFTY SNIPPET CHALLENGE - WEEK 20

Hi Everyone

I hope your Sunday has been good.

It has been a very mixed bag of weather here today.  Sunshine, showers and strong winds .. .. thank goodness we managed a good gardening session yesterday that's all I can say.

We are already looking forward to next weekend and the bank holiday .. .. how naughty to be wishing our lives away!!

Anyway .. .. what have I made with my snippets today .. .. ..


















I would have been a bit earlier today but guess who left her camera switched on and had flat as pancake batteries?  Yep, that will be me!!!  So I have had to have a quick re-charge session before I could post.  What a clot!!  That's what happens when you post in rush like I did last night!!

So who kept me company this week in the fight to clear our craft spaces of our beloved snippets that we can't bear to throw away.

First this week was Carole who made the most delicious get well card for her friend .. .. and what a gorgeous ribbon bow too.  Love the colours on this one very much.

Next was Sandra who has faithfully been taking part for lots of weeks now.  I think that not only is Sandra enjoying using up her snippets as much as I do .. .. she also loves her Tattered Floral die as much as I do too.  Another fabby make.

Then Andria played along.  Andria has also been keeping me company quite a bit over the last few weeks .. .. her make this week was gorgeous except for one thing .. .. Andria teased me with one of the new Lili Of The Valley images!!  How many times have I looked at these?  I even put a few in my basket once and then emptied it and walked away (how strong was that of me?).  Clearly my addiction isn't out of control just yet or I wouldn't have been able to do that!!  LOL!!!

But joking aside Andria I loved your card!

Next came a new snippet companion Lynne.  It is the first time Lynne has played along and what a gorgeous card she made too.  Beautiful papers, gorgeous image and a fantastic rosette .. .. this creation must have used up lots of snippets!!!

Then last but by no means least Tricia came to play along too.  Tricia did really well and made not one, not two but THREE snippet creations.  Well done Tricia .. .. you must be so pleased with all your lovely makes.  I know I would be.

So the last world record has been broken .. .. woo hoo!!!  The highest number of playmates yet .. .. 5.

Thank you so much ladies for keeping me company and inspiring everyone with your creations.  I hope that everyone comes to pay you a visit and see what beautiful projects you have worked on.

I will catch you again tomorrow and hopefully will get chance for a blog hop session later.

Have a good evening.

Love



If you fancy keeping me company during the course of the next week then please link below and we can all come and see what you have been up to.

Saturday 21 May 2011

RACING TED

Hi Everyone

I hope you have had a lovely Saturday and the weather has been beautiful. 

I am particularly hoping it has been warm and sunny for my lovely blog buddy Lesley as her daughter was getting married today.  I really do hope it has been a beautiful and magical day.  I am sure it will be perfect though whatever the weather after all the planning and hard work that has gone into arranging everything.

But no weddings for me today :-(

We gardened, bathed, ate, did a bit of food shopping and now home to post a card here and then we are meeting up with friends for a Chinese.  I think I will sleep tonight!!

Here is my share for today (yet "another" Father's Day card!!)






This used:

Image:  Funstamps "FQ24" Racing Ted
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Papers:  Aimee Asher
ProMarkers and a White Gel Pen

OK - time to get ready to see our friends.

I will catch you again tomorrow with my snippet makes. 

Love


Friday 20 May 2011

LOVIN' FLOWERS

Hi Everyone

Woo hoo!!!  It's Friday and the weekend starts here!!  Yippee!!

I hope everyone has had a good day .. .. most of mine has been spent in Father's Day mode .. .. and this is one of my fav makes of the day.. .. ..






This used:

Image:  Penny Black "1037K" Lovin' Flowers
Sentiment:  Butterfly Kisses "BK2002D" Father's Day
Backing Papers:  DCWV Retro Prints Paper Stack.
Distress Ink:  Tea Dye
ProMarkers
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads

Cord from the stash box


and that is my share for the day.

We are hoping for some gardening weather over the next couple of days as we want to spend most of the weekend in the garden. 

Most of the seeds are starting to make an appearance and need potting on etc and we still have more weed and bramble infested garden to work on .. .. but it is coming along nicely. 

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend .. .. whatever you are doing.

Love

Thursday 19 May 2011

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

I hope everyone has seen the sunshine today.  It isn't mega warm sunshine here but it is lovely to see.

I think we are nearly in the realms of needing to hope for rain during the night and sunshine in the day as our local radio is already talking of water shortages!!!  Aparently it needs to rain solid for two months if the water stocks are going to reach the necessary levels.  Eeekkk!!!  That is an awful lot of rain!!

Anyway, enough of the nasty talk and round to my card. 

Today's share is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the theme this week is "Clean and Simple".






This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3295K" Rose Heart
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder:  Swiss Dots
Koh-I-Noor Pencils blended with Sansodor Oil
Ribbon and pearls from the stash box

Mmmm... a clean and simple card and a quick one to post about too.  Can't be bad!! 

Hope you all have a great evening.  I am in the midst of Father's Day cards so am off back into male card mode now after sneaking in this pretty one!!

Thank you for calling by and for all your lovely comments.  I do appreciate them.

Love

Wednesday 18 May 2011

THE STAMP FAIRY CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

I hope the day has treated you well.

The weather has been a bit of a mixed bag today .. .. but the rain has now stopped and the sun is making an appearance.

I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the Top 3 over at The Stamp Fairy Challenge last week .. .. so in celebration I am here again with another of their scrummy images to play along with this week's challenge.  The theme this time is to use three embellishments .. .. so I have gone with three flowers.

Here is my little offering:




This used:

Image:  The Stamp Fairy "Lenny and Linda Wedding"
Sentiment:  Stampendous! "J180" Mr & Mrs
Backing Papers:  Aimee Asher
Martha Stewart Punch:  Traditional Scallop
Leone Em Pty Punch:  Ash Branch
Woodware Punches:  Daisy
Koh-I-Noor Pencils and Sansodor Blending Oil
Glamour Dust
Brads and Pearls from the stash box

Here is my lovely little badge:



Thank you ladies!!

Well it has been a bit of a nightmare getting this post up.  I hope Mr Blogger isn't feel "sickly" again!!  Let's hope not.

So tonight is Wednesday .. .. and you know what that means .. .. The Apprentice!!  Woo hoo!!

One of my favourite challenges this week.  They have a shopping list of items and have to buy all of the items on the list as cheaply as possible.  I wonder if my characters are going to stay safe again this week!!!

Have a lovely evening everyone and I will catch you again tomorrow.

Love