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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.

Saturday 9 June 2012

BLOG BREAK OVER!!

Hi Everyone

I am back!!!

My blog break is over .. .. and boy has a lot happened in the last two weeks whilst I have been banned from blogland!!

I have certainly missed seeing everyone's lovely creations and catching up with all the news and happenings that's for sure. 

The hardest part was the first two or three days .. .. but then once I got stuck into my mammoth "do list" I was OK.

When I instigated my two week ban I really thought I would be back a little earlier than this .. but even now can you believe my do list is as big as ever .. .. even though I have crossed a mountain of things off it.

I very stupidly thought my break would also give me chance to make a stack of creations for posting to my blog .. .. but no!  That never happened :-(

So what DID the last two weeks entailed in the House of Hearts?

Well:
  • Three of my "happy couples" got married and I got to see two of the bride and grooms in their wedding outfits.  Bless!!
  • A mountain of card orders done and dusted.
  • Another lovely magazine commission completed and posted off.
  • Loads, and loads and loads of wedding work.
  • A trip to stock up on ribbon
  • Hubby has been at home for some of the time so I joined him in the garden between downpours of rain and we have got on top of that.  We have our first cucumber and pepper making an appearance and my very pale skin might have even changed colour a little LOL!!
  • Hanging baskets and pots all planted up.
  • Lots of admin work completed including a foolproof workbook to keep me on track with orders and deadlines.
  • Plus .. .. ..  most importantly .. .. .. special time with hubby.
  • Then today .. .. my car passed its MOT .. .. yay!!!!
What a happy bunny I am.

So that is me and my busy two weeks .. .. ..   and now I am back with my share for today.

How weird that as I started my blog break I had done a week of red, white and blue .. .. .. and then I find today that the challenge over at Penny Black Saturday is red, white and blue.





This used:

Image:  Penny Black "4065K" Bountiful
Sentiment:  DoCrafts "With Love"
Backing papers:  Papermania "Portobello Road" (yes, my pack is still going strong)
ProMarkers
White Gel Pen
Ribbon and pearls from the Stash Box

I followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday so am also going to enter my creation into their challenge this week too.

This was the lovely sketch.


Thank goodness I haven't forgotten how to post to my blog!!  LOL!!

We have caught up on lots of cooking programmes we have recorded and Hubby now has grand ideas of cooking some recipes he has spied.  He has been buying herb plants for the garden and to start off the first of his "things I want to try" list he is just about to try his hand at making some bread.  I am looking forward to the smell of that and munching on it later!!!

I am on quiche duty (we make loads and freeze them for quick dinners in the future), a bath and then .. .. a good old catch up in blogland to see what everyone has been up to.  Woo hoo!!!

I have missed you all!!

See you later

Love

57 comments:

Faye said...

Hey Jules, it's lovely to see you back. Sounds like you need a holiday after that little lot. Fab card, gorgeous colouring and you've rocked the sketch. xx

Tracey T said...

We missed you too! And what a card to come back with - this is gorgeous, Jules. Love the gingham! Also, the stitching on the ribbon would qualify you to enter this little beauty over at Sweet Stampin' this week! Hugs, Tracey xx

Tip Top said...

Welcome back!!

Anne said...

Wow Jules, is that two weeks passed? Missed your cards and daily stories. So please you're back and you've managed to achieve a lot in your enforced blog free fortnight! Hugs x

Sarah said...

Welcome back. Fab Card!

Sarah x

Debs M said...

nice to see you back and love that card!x

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Love your card Jules, especially the red flowers. Welcome back!!

jacqui x

Lorraine said...

Hi Jules, I can't believe it's been 2 weeks, it's gone so quick!
Love this card, fab image and love the layout too!
Lorraine x

Doreen said...

This is gorgeous Jules, love your colouring and fab details.Nice to see you back.xxx

The Crafty Blonde said...

Great to see you back in blogland, you have certainly been keeping yourself busy from the sounds of it. Fabulous card, love the sweet image and R,W&B combo.
Lyndsey xx

Vicky said...

Welcome back Jules...and wow those two weeks have just flown by...must say I wasn't feeling to well so I have not done loads of blogging either...just up-loading my cards and that's about all...

Anyway..such a gorgeous creation hun...love the image and fab colours too..so perfect for this time of year...:o)

have a lovely evening...and big hugs Vicky xx

Debs said...

Welcome back Jules
So lovely to see your one of your gorgeous cards again - fab image and perfect colouring.
Sounds like you have been a very busy bee :o)
Enjoy your evening.
Take care
Debs xx

Bernie said...

Woo Hoo You're back!!! You've certainly been missed. Wish I could claim to have accomplished as much as you have. You are a real dynamo.
What a fabulous card! Adorable image so beautifully colored. Lots of Red, White and Blue making the rounds but with the Jubilee and the lovely Queen’s birthday and the Olympics coming soon it’s no wonder you are all so full of patriotism.
Hugs

Gibmiss said...

Hi jules
I have missed you soooo much...... Your card is fabulous ..... As usual .....
Hugs sylvie xxxxx

susiestacey said...

You are wearing me out with all this busy ness lol. x Gorgeous card and welcome to your new cucumber and pepper x My allotment is coming on very well and all planted up just hope the rain over the last two days have not washed it all away. Take care x Susan x

Catherine said...

Welcome back and fabulous card, was looking at that stamp the other day and thinking that I need to ink it up once again... lol

Cynthia said...

I've missed you too, Jules! SO glad you're back!!!!!!!!!! Love the card as well--reminds me of a sweet summer picnic!

Nikbee said...

Hi,
It's good to see you back and I'm glad you managed to get lots done - sorry the list is still as big though.
A fabulous card. The image is lovely.
Nikki x

Lisa said...

Hi Jules, Great to have you back blogging :-) You certainly have been busy over the last 2 weeks!

Gorgeous card! Love this image and fab colour combo.

Lisa x

Jane Willis said...

And we've all missed you! Welcome back.

Viv said...

Welcome back! Although it sounds like you might need another rest - was tired just reading what you'd been up to! Great card as ever jules. x

Jenny said...

Yay good to see you back and soooo pleased you crossed so much off your list :0)
Lucky you to have a hubby interested in cooking your meals instead of just eating them!!!
A great patriotic make to start back with, love his floral bouquet :0)
Hope you enjoyed the jubilee festivities too.
Jenny x

Amanda said...

Welcome back, and such a lovely card to come back with. Hugs, Amanda x

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Mrs Heart, I sure have missed you! What a productive fortnight you've had - I feel tired just reading about it, lol!

I love your red, white and blue card today - the colours suit the image very well.

Glad your car passed it's MOT - mine is next month (my car that is, not me, lol!)
xx

Marie-Louise said...

A really lovely card. It's good to see you back.

Tracy said...

Oh my word Jules, you've been so busy, it feels good though doesn't it to get those jobs done.
I love this card, it's gorgeous.
Glad your back in blogland
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Wendy said...

Hi Jules, sounds like you have had a great two weeks and you got so much done and how lovely to have special time with hubby.
I have missed your gorgeous creations, this one is so sweet, love the image and fab ribbon.
Wendy xx

Pop's Cards said...

Hi sweetie this is simply stunning, hugs Pops x x x

Anonymous said...

Hi Jules, sounds like you have had a very productive break, I was exhausted just reading it, LOL! Love your fab card, good to see you back!
Helen x

amanda stokes said...

Hi Jules,
Yay glad to see you back have missed your fabby creations :)
Gorgeous card,I have just made a card for this challenge today which i shall be posting tommorrow lol
Fab image and papers :) x

Sharon said...

Hi Jules. I have just joined your blog and I must say it is very addictive looking for your hearts. You have some beautiful cards and it has been enjoyable looking through your pages. Could you please tell me the name of the papers from Raspberry Road which you used on Thursday 17th Mays card.
Love Sharon. x

M said...

And we have missed you! Glad to have you back! Sorry that your to-do list hasn't shrunk, but at least it's changed!!! Beautiful share for today - such a cute hedgehog. M x

Kasey ~ in Oz said...

That's the problem with those pesky 'to do' lists, they keep growing no matter how many tasks are crossed off!

Welcome back Jules, I missed your cheery posts but I totally understand the need to take the break from it. Don't worry too much about commenting on the old stuff or your catch up will take you two weeks!

Cheers,
Kasey ~ in Oz

G Peplow said...

Hi Jules, lovely to see you back, you sound terribly busy LOL Gorgeous card, love the little hedgies, xxx

Anonymous said...

*YAY You're back!!!*

Welcome home ;) hehe

Totally missed seeing you!

Adore Mr Hedgie and his poppies, love the red white and blue, great sketch and challenge!!!

Have a great weekend Jules!

Franjopani said...

Welcome back - I've missed you!!! looking forward to the updates on the house of hearts again now though x joy

Unknown said...

so glad you are back love the card, Mary x

Lynn said...

Hi Jules, welcome back, I have missed seeing your creations. Love your card. Glad your car passed its MOT. Mine is soon - *shudder*
Lynn x

Sarn said...

Woot Woot she's BACK! YAY! And with the usual FABULOUS card too!

But still with a long to do list! Ah well . . .just think how much longer it would have been if you hadn't stopped blogging!

Wishing you a joyful Sunday.
Hugs
Sarn xxx

Nannieflash said...

Welcome back Jules, hope you had a lovely break, the weather wasnt very nice but I hope you enjoyed it anyway. I love your card that image is so cute and your colouring is gorgeous and those papers are fabulous. hugs Shirleyxxx

coops said...

its great to see you back jules and i`m pleased to hear you got some of your to do list done :D
love your card,fab patriotic colours and really gorgeous hedgie ;D

xx coops xx

Sally said...

Welcome back Jules, I've missed reading your fun posts but happy to know that you got a lot done during your blog break. A great card to come back with, I love the hegdie & his bunch of poppies.
Sally x

Clair Matthews said...

Good to see you blogging again!..I love this card, the stamp is adorable! xxx

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

nice to see you back Jules and with one of my fav images,great card. I've gardened so much ,at here and my job,I cream crackered.
janex

MagsB said...

Welcome back, my lovely! We missed you. My goodness, you've been busy!

What a terrific card, such gorgeous colours! Those Penny Black hedgehogs are just so cute!

Take care!

love Mags B x

Sue B said...

Aww welcome back Jules! glad you managed to get some things sorted… but sounds like you still have heaps to do…
your card is really sweet! I love the red, white and blue theme - gorgeous papers and ribbon!
Hope you've had a good weekend!
Love Sue xx

coldwaters2 said...

Beautiful card Jules loving that cute, colourful image also the papers and design.
Hugs
Lorraine x

Beryl said...

Welcome back Jules. I've missed your daily 'shares'. Glad you managed to get loads done in your to week break and I'm sure it did you the world of good to have some extra time with your hubbyand to get out in the garden. Love this image and the way you have presented it. Look forward to more makes and inspiration on the coming weeks.
Beryl xx

Kath Stewart said...

great to have you back jules and with yet another stunning card.....thanks for joining in the fun at Penny Black Saturday...hugs kath xxx

loftylass said...

Good to have you back Jules - you were missed.... You certainly stuck to your guns and kept busy tackling all those jobs that keep going to the bottom of the list...
love your card... happy crafting.
Hugs
Heather
x

Tara Cardwell said...

Welcome back - we missed you :-)
Tara x

XxJULESxX said...

Woo Hoo your back!!! i missed you Jules! i love the card to it's just gorgeous as usual!

Susie Little said...

Great to see you back Jules! Your card is Beautiful! Thank you for playing along with our sketch at Sketch Saturday! xx

Laura said...

Welcome Back Jules! Wow you have been one busy bee!! Bet it didn't even feel like a break! I have also had a slight break due to so much work. What a wonderful card to come back with though :)
Laura xx

Alex H. said...

Oh what a nice card... I love PB and your card is really wonderful! Thanks for joining us at Sketch Saturday!
;-) Alex H.

Unknown said...

This is beautiful Jules! Congrats on your car passing the MOT! :)
Thanks for joining us at SS this week!
Lizy DT x

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