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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 19 March 2016

NEC 2016

Hi Everyone

Happy weekend.

I had a fabulous day at the NEC yesterday .. .. though I can't say the train journey there and back was fabulous.

Hardly any carriages and everyone crushed together .. .. .. far worse than I have ever experienced on the London underground .. .. so every time someone needed to get off the folk standing in the door area needed to get off to let them through .. .. and you just hoped you were able to get back on again along with all the new passengers that were being let on!! 

Anyway, I won't moan any more (except to perhaps mention my still aching feet LOL!!!).

I thought you might like to hear about my favourite stands and see what I was too weak to resist:

These first two were my very favourites stands.

The first one because of the amazing demonstrations and the patience of the lady demonstrating who answered everyone's questions .. .. whilst at the same time twinkling with glitter!!

This was Card-io - where I got these lovely goodies.  I am just hoping I can re-create some of the fantastic cards that were being demonstrated.  No need for blending tools or duster brushes .. .. just a dry baby wipe and tiny little ink pads produced the most amazing results.

 I see from their website that they are on Create and Craft on Wednesday so I will definitely be getting that lined up to record.



Then my other favourite was Inkylicious

Again fabulous demonstrations but also the most amazing collection of stamps and sentiments backed up with the most beautiful sample cards which had all been made by the owner and her Mum.  Each one made you want the stamps to recreate them .. .. I had to be super strong on this stand (but will definitely be visiting their website again (when my crafty pennies have  replenished themselves).


Next the essentials in the form of kraft card stock and charms and then a set of Extra Large X-Cut circle dies.  I am hoping to use these to make pages to go inside a circular guest book made from two records.  Looking forward to trying that!!


Then some lovely shaped dies that I am keen to create with - the little ewe looked great all made up on the sample cards. 


So that was my fabby day and fabby purchases.  Can't wait to have a play .. .. but lots of orders and commissions to do first.

.. .. and that is me for today .. .. but before I go this is a message for the lovely ladies I spoke to on the Stampin' Up! stand who I had a great conversation with.  They were super excited that the MISTI is now available in the UK and I said I would link to where I got mine from for them.  Lovely to spend time with you ladies and here is the link Dies to Die For.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

Love 

13 comments:

Sarah said...

What a fantastic haul Jules!! Looking forward overseeing what you make!! xx

cotnob said...

It sounds like a long but enjoyable day Jules, your crafty buys look fabulous - I will look forward to seeing what you create with it all.
Pauline
x

Kathleen said...

Wow some lovely buys and they all look light enough to carry around, no heavy bags to drag home.

Kath x

Unknown said...

Oooh lots of lovely goodies there Jules, those inkylicious stamps are gorgeous and love the dies in the last pic especially the horseshoe :)
Looking forward to seeing your makes soon,
Hugs, Kaz x

Lynn said...

I can see you had a great time. Love your choice of stamps - I need to keep away from these type of venues at the moment! Happy crafting. Lynn x

Barb said...

It sounds as if you had a great time at the show Jules although the journey doesn't sound like a lot of fun. I'm going tomorrow on a coach with a couple of friends so will be looking out for those demos. Have lots of fun playing with your new goodies. Barbxx

Brawny x said...

Wow all looks fab Jules. I'm loving the sheep die..makes me think of my daughter....don't ask haha x

Stamps and Paper said...

Looks like you had a super day and what a great haul of new goodies...I have lots of stamps from both Inkylicious and Card-io their stamps are brilliant and always stamp well.
Look forward to seeing what you make with your new goodies

Anne

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Jules fabulous purchases, I bought Card-io stamps and Inkylicious goodies at the Glasgow show, they are fabulous stamps and creat wonderful cards, enjoy your new stash, Kate x

Crafty Moone Cards said...

Looks like you had a fab time Jules, enjoy. Sue x

Di said...

What a fabulous haul Jules! I adore Inkylicious stamps and have three of the ones you bought :) I think they're great value for money as well. Gorgeous dies you snapped up as well! Someone's gonna be a busy lady :)

Hugs

Di xx

Debs said...

Love your crafty stash buys Jules - sorry to hear the train journey wasn't so good.
I had a long but brilliant day out on Thursday too.
Next time we will be more co-ordinated with time and hopefully get to meet up.
Debs xx

Eve said...

Hi Jules
thanks for sharing your crafty buys with us and now I can't wait to see what fabulous creations you make with them!

Card-io and Inkylicious are my favourite stands to watch too (I also have a couple of those stamps ;-) and I will be setting up to record on Wednesday.

I hope that you get time to play with your stash very soon and have fun with your circular guest book!

Hugs Eve xx