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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.

Wednesday 24 December 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to call by to wish everyone the very best Christmas they could possibly have.

Certainly this Christmas is going to be extra difficult for quite a few of my blog buddies but please know I will be thinking of you.

Christmas in the House of Hearts is going to start off gradually when the London Kids and the Local Kid arrive later today. All the tidying up will feel like it was a waste of time as they arrive with all their belongings (and no-doubt presents that will still need wrapping).  But I can't wait, Christmas Eve is my most favourite day of the whole year and I am so excited about us all being together again as a family for a few days.  Every second will be treasured and special.

Each day is going to get busier and busier as we build up to a manic day on Saturday with around 13 of us sitting down for a family meal .. .. and then it will calm down again come Sunday when it will be what I call the "stretch or starve day".  Sunday everyone will have to grab whatever is around to eat as there will be no cooking coming from my direction .. .. I will probably be in a shattered heap in the corner snoring away!!  LOL!

So all the presents and cards are delivered, our presents are all wrapped .. .. it is just the start of the food preparations now and the taking down of Mr Heart's birthday cards so they can be replaced with Christmas cards.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sent me Christmas cards, emails and good wishes for Christmas .. .. and an even bigger thank you to everyone who has continued to visit my blog even though I have struggled big time to return those lovely comments.  I haven't been a very good blog buddy this year much to my dismay . .. but life has certainly been exciting on the crafting and business front and I definitely feel like I have stretched myself and learnt so much.  I hope I continue to improve and grow during 2015.

I was super good this year though and stuck to my new year resolution of making Christmas cards all year .. .. but I could still have done with more in stock as yet again there were not enough for my lovely customers and I ended up doing urgent last minute makes .. .. plus it has also given me an even bigger problem in choosing my five favourites for taking over to Debby's annual "Five Favourite Christmas Cards" show and tell:

So in no particular order, and for the reasons I have given,  here we go with my personal five favourite Christmas makes of 2014:

Number 1

This one uses probably my most used Christmas stamp of 2014.  I have lost count of the number of times I have made this card .. .. or one very similar!!  LOL!!


Number 2

I tried to make quite a few "flatter" Christmas cards this year and I just love the technique of layering a die cut within a die cut.  Definitely one of my favourite techniques at the moment.


Number 3

Just love the "blackboard" look so had to include this little beauty (using a sentiment stamp that also got lots of use).


Number 4

This one joined the ranks as it was a completely different style for me and involved a few new techniques that I hadn't tried before. Not everyone's idea of a card full of Christmas cheer .. .. but I really loved the finish look.


Number 5

and of course no collection would be complete without a little Penny Black hedgie making an appearance.  Love the image, and the notebook die cut and both got a fair bit of use this year.


So there we go.  My five favourites in one post.

Thanks for asking us to share them Debby, I really enjoyed looking back over what I had created during the year.  I feel like making a Christmas card now .. .. .. but the kitchen is calling!!  Time to start those Christmas food preparations and tidy away all the unfinished craft projects that need to go on hold for a little while.

Have a good one everyone!

Love and tight squeezy Christmas hugs

36 comments:

Crafting Queen said...

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.

Eve said...

Hi Jules, (my favourite blog buddy)
I love all of you Christmas cards and couldn't possibly chose a favourite.

When you have got a minute (probably in the year 2020!!) I would love to know how you made card number 4 - stunning.

Well I will let you get back to your cooking but would love to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2015.
Thank you for all of your lovely comments and encouragement through the year.
Biggest hugs
Eve xx

Patricia said...

Happy Christmas to you and yours Jules.
Hope next year brings you all you wish for.
Love, love, love the selection of your wonderful creations every one a winner.
Hugs

Patricia x

sally said...

Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Sally

Sue said...

Such a gorgeous selection of cards, each one so beautifully made.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
hugs Sue xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Gorgeous cards Jules ...wishing you and your family A Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year

Anne

Di said...

What wonderful picks from your year Jules! Of course you know how I love the Scandinavian card and am tickled to see you using the notebook die :)

Hope you have a lovely time over the festivities - see you on the other side :)

Much love

Di xx

Home sweet home said...

Stunning cards:D

Merry Christmas.

Merethe

cuilliesocks said...

All Fabulous cards Jules, hard to pick a favourite, but the black and white one just has the edge on it.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and a Happy New Year, hugs Kate x

cotnob said...

Fabulous choices Jules.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Pauline
x

Crafty Moone Cards said...

Lovely Selection of cards Jules. hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas, and best wishes for 2015.
Sue x

Viv said...

Perfect 5 Jules. Merry Christmas. x

Carole Z said...

Hi Jules, all these cards are magical!!! Sounds like you have a busy but fabulous Christmas ahead..we have the family coming tomorrow so have been prepping veg this afternoon, but we did manage a stroll and a coffee this morning in the sunshine! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!! Thank you for all your inspirational cards, hugs Carole Z X

Carol said...

Love your festive favourite five Jules, all would be a delight to receive. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, enjoy your family time. Carol x

Carole said...

Hi Jules, Hope you and your family enjoy your special time together. All your cards are lovely. Looking forward to your 2015 makes have a wonderful time Love Carole x

coldwaters2 said...

Beautiful selection of cards Jules, have a lovely Christmas
hugs
lorraine x

Whisper said...

Sounds like a very busy Xmas for you - there is only the 3 of us for the next 2 days, then off to Yorkshire to Alan's dad.

Fabby collection of cards too, Luv Sam x

Kathleen said...

Five fabulous card and a reminder of the lovely little Robin card has gone in my head to use next year. You just pipped me to the post in entering.
Hope you have a fabulous time with all the family and your Business flourishes even more next year.

Kath x

Debbie said...

Merry Christmas dearie.been a busy few weeks so I'd like to apologise for my lack of comments. Beautiful selection of cards.love them all.have fun.hugs xxx

Janette van Otterlo said...

Lovely collection.
Grtz Janette

Hettie said...

Merry Christmas Jules. I love all of these and would not chose.
Hugs
xx

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

All gorgeous cards Jules - I would have to pick all of your Christmas cards as Favourites as it would be impossible to narrow them down to just 5!

Merry Christmas to you and your family - and a very happy 2015.

Jocelyn x
Instead of Ironing Blogspot

Whisper said...

Oooo what a stunning collection of cards, and roll on Sunday so you can have a rest from the cooking !!, Luv Sam x

debby4000 said...

Oh what a gorgeous selection of Christmas Cards.
Thank you for joining in with My Favourite Five Christmas Cards.
luv
Debby

coops said...

fabulous selection of cards, all so gorgeous.i love the snowy postcard ;D

xx coops xx

Cynthia said...

Jules, I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!! And many thanks to you for dropping by my blog so often--I really appreciate your gracious words!!

Thanks too for posting your gorgeous Christmas cards. I'm always blown away by your creativity! PS: Number 4 is my favorite!! =D

Unknown said...

Greetings from IOWA in the USA. I loved every card you chose and for different reasons. Just lovely.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards..love the black and white ones especially. x

Desire Fourie said...

Wow this is a stunning series of Christmas designs and such a wonderful reflection of your awesome creative talent. Thank you so much for sharing them. Also wishing you a 2015 filled with tons of love and happiness xxx
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Sally H said...

5 fabulous christmas cards, Jules! All beautiful! Thanks for your card. With everything at school and Meg having a uni interview on 23rd, I am afraid time caught up with me. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2015 brings you everything you wish for x

Wendy said...

Fabulous selection Jules, all so gorgeous, LOVE them all!

Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Love Wendy xx

Brawny x said...

Superb cards Jules. Great designs x

Jacee said...

Lovely cards Jules!

Hope you had a great Xmas and would just like to wish you and all your family all the best for the new year!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Juls said...

Beautiful collection of cards :-) xx

XxJULESxX said...

Just stunning Jules!!!!

Brenda said...

Christmas is a busy time of year isn't it Jules?! But with as busy as it gets, it is still a joyful time. Celebrating the birth of Jesus and enjoying family time and good food-doesn't get any better than that! Christmas Eve is my favorite part of Christmas-I just feel like there is some magical thing about it. lol I love midnight mass, it is just so spiritual as well. Just my most favorite time of Christmas. I love, love looking at your favorite cards of 2014, they are all amazing but then again any card you make is amazing! I, too, love the inlaid look of dies, just so pretty to me and fun. Hugs, Brenda