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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 15 July 2013

HAPPY ST SWITHUN'S DAY

Hi everyone

I hope you are all well and had a lovely weekend.

We had a lovely BBQ late yesterday afternoon after visiting a new Hobbycraft store that opened up near us. A lovely relaxing day.  No cardmaking .. .. I just satisfied my crafty yearnings by trying to learn how to make a crochet flower, like I used on my card the other day, whilst sitting on the "swingy sofa" in the garden. Bliss!!

I have a long way to go before I will be happy enough to use my attempts on a card though .. .. I only really want two layers to my flower and for them to be much finer and delicate.  But I will get there .. hopefully!!!


I used this You Tube video here and dread to think how many "hits" I will be responsible for!!   LOL!!

So today is St Swithun's day .. .. which supposedly means that whatever the weather is like today, we will have the same for the next forty days.  Well it is looking like we are in for a lovely, lovely forty days .. .. though I fear a hosepipe ban being on the cards and very brown lawns!!!

Another of my brides got married over the weekend.  She and her now hubby went down south to Devon to get married at Coombe Farm in a Cider Barn and had a Handfasting ceremony under the oldest oak tree in the forest.  What beautiful weather for an outdoor ceremony.

They sent me a message yesterday to say they had had a wonderful wedding weekend. 

I can't wait to see some photographs.  The bride's bouquet was made from buttons .. .. I had never seen anything like these .. .. aren't they amazing (unless you have a phobia about buttons of course - in which case don't click on the link!).

So as you can imagine this couple's invitations involved, buttons, leaves, acorn charms and a lovely rustic look.  I love coming up with invitations for themed weddings.

You would be surprised how many couples get in touch whilst on .. .. or about to start their honeymoon. Wouldn't you think they would have better things to do LOL!!!

Anyway .. .. round to my share for today .. .. and as you can see I now have my light box back up and running yay!!!




This used:

Image:  Digistamp Boutique:  Seaside Dan
Sentiment and Backing Papers:  Nitwits:  Happy Bornday (isn't that a great name for a collection)
Nestabilities:  Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Large
ProMarkers and Chalks
Button and ribbon from my stash box
Diamond Stickles

I am going to enter this into the Digitamp Boutique Challenge for July.

Off now to try and cross some more jobs off my every increasing crafty do list.  Ooooo... I love being busy!!

Have a lovely evening everyone.  I am slowly catching up with you all.

Love

28 comments:

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Love your flower Jules I used to crochet using cotton and a 0.60 hook love the look of crochet doilies
Your card is so sweet love the colours and image
jacqui x

cuilliesocks said...

What a sweet wee card, lovely to see a little boy for a change. Love your colours. Kate x

Crafty Moone Cards said...

Gorgeous card Jules, and I am loving the flower. Must have a look at that You Tube clip, I have been wanting to have a go at these flowers myself for ages. Sue x

scrappymo! said...

What a little sweetie! Love the bright summer colours and design!

I had seen the button bouquets before. There is a girl on Two Pease in a Bucket site...I think she is Princess Lazertron...she makes button jewelry and flower bouquets. I think they are so unique and lovely. Your bride is a trendsetter!

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jules, lovely to read that you have been having a bit of downtime, even if you have been learning to crochet flowers for embellishments too.

The button bouquets are lovely - and they have the advantage that they will never wither and die.

I think it says a lot about your relationship with your happy couples that they find the time to get in touch so soon after the big day.

Your card is lovely - I like the cute beach and sand image and the bright summery colours.

Hugs, Elizabeth xx

PS: sorry I've not been around to comment recently but I've been having fun in the sun too :)

Sue said...

Your card is gorgeous Jules. I love the cute image, fabulous papers and beautiful sunny colours.
Your crochet flower looks brilliant. You have just reminded me to search for my hooks later and see if I can remember what to do.
hugs Sue xx

Eve said...

Hi Jules.
So glad you found time at the weekend to relax and do a craft shop.
The flower looks splendid I bet they will be appearing on more of your cards.
Doesn't Dan look like a jolly chap!
Love the colours that you used.
Hope your 'to do' list gets smaller! xx

Doreen said...

This is gorgeous Jules,love the fab image and colours.xxx

Stamps and Paper said...

Love your crochet flower Jules I can do must things but not crochet but I will have a look at the video.
Lovely boys card great image and love your colours

Anne

Kathleen said...

Brilliant first attempt at the flower, not something I have taken to, my MIL tried to teach me but I soon gave it up.
Fab card, great colours super image.
Not sure about the button bouquet, an acquired taste me thinks.

Keep up the good work.

Kath x

Carole said...

Thats a very holiday card i am off on my soon. The crochet flower is very good, ill have to have a try one. Catch up soon x

Unknown said...

Hi Jules, sorry I haven't commented much lately, been super busy with swaps etc.
Congrats on the crochet flower. I too found this video recently as I also decided to 'pick up my hook' again after quite some years and it was a learning process all over again.
Your flower looks super, well done.
Cheers,
Elaine

coops said...

so gorgeous jules.love the sweet fun dan and your colours are fabulous and your crochet flower looks perfect to me :D

xx coops xx

May said...

Gorgeous card Jules, Love that sweet image & your colouring is perfect... I love your crochet flower I will pop over and have a look on the utube link... WOW...To the amazing button bouquet's ... Love them... Have a happy week... Hugs May x x x

Sharon said...

Your flower is certainly good enough for a card Jules - it is lovely.
The image on your card is so sweet and the colours are lovely as is the design.
Hugs Sharon x

cotnob said...

This is a lovely summer card Jules, such a sweet image and fabulous papers. I love your crochet flower, my Mum gave me all of her old wool and I keep meaning to have a go - will have to check out the You Tube video.
Pauline
x

Betty said...

What a lovely bright summery card. I love that image and so beautifully coloured
Bettyxxx

mags said...

A lovely summery card Jules. I love your crotchet flower. Really must try and do some of these.
Mags
x

Cynthia said...

A button bouquet?? I'm off to check it out, but first I had to say how cute this card is. Seaside Dan is just adorable and the colors are perfectly beachy and summery!

Cynthia said...

Gosh, forgot to say...I would LOVE to get a card with your beautiful crochet flower on it!! I think it's lovely!

Beryl said...

I've found quite a few crochet flowers on Pinterest - but not got round to trying them yet. Yonks since I've done any crocheting. I've still got some fine crochet cotton so that would make smaller more delicate flowers for cards (I hope).
Great 'summer' card share. Can't get into the spirit of it myself as I really suffer in the heat.
Beryl xx

Anonymous said...

Loving the crochet flower, Jules!

and awesome beachy card, great colours and image, so fun!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous card, Lovely summery image, Mary x

XxJULESxX said...

Hi Jules, i do love the card colours are so lovely and image just gorgeous! and i am impressed with your crocheted flower!

Nannieflash said...

Hi Jules, oh wow what a stunning card, clean and simple but I love that image youve coloured him beautifully. hugs Shirleyxxxx

Carole Z said...

Love the flower Jules,beautiful! Also the little boy card, really cute! Carole Z X

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Jules I just has to tell you that your flower looks amazing, I used this tutorial when I first started crochet which was only a few months ago, I know that as you do more they will start to look just as you want them to. I adore the delightful card you have made it is so colourful and fresh, such a cool image,
hugs
lorraine x

Hettie said...

This is a gorgeous card Jules and I do love your flower. Well done on two counts!
Hugs
xx