FEMININE FRIDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday!!!  Nearly the weekend .. .. woo hoo! 

It has been a lovely productive week here in the House of Hearts .. .. invites out of the door, new couples signed up, magazine commissions and shock horror .. .. new cards into my stock boxes too. A few more weeks like this would be amazing.  

I am quite chuffed with what I have achieved (which I don't say very often)  .. .. perhaps some of the new organisation tasks I have been working on are starting to come into their own.  Not that Mr Heart would say that anything looks very organised;  but I know different.  There is still a good way to go before I am super happy but as they say "Rome wasn't built in a day".  Just chipping away at things here and there seems to be making a big difference.

So anyway round to my first Feminine Friday make .. .. 

This used:

Image and Die Set:  MFT Buildable Bouquet (thankfully I saw this helpful post before I went headlong into using these sets.  I had never considered that the stems of the flowers need to curve exactly as the die does!!)

Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat (sorry to keep using them now the boutique is closed .. .. but I love them)

Backing Paper:  All Dressed Up Stamps: Wedding Papers  

ProMarkers

My Trusty Sewing Machine

Pearls from my crafty stah box

So what I have always known has been confirmed.  There just aren't enough days in a week. 

It would seem that my themed days are proving very popular with you lovely blog buddies .. .. and there sadly aren't enough days in one week to fit in all the things in that people would particularly like to see more of here in my little world.  

I have had to miss out a specific Christmas themed day, a technique day, a sketch day, a wedding/anniversary day (all themes I would have loved to have included) .. .. .. but I am hoping to be able to incorporate some, if not all of those, into the days I have already allocated .. .. or into my final choice .. .. which is going to be "Celebration Saturday".  That was suggested by quite a few of you .... .... many thanks for that!

Celebration Saturday will be able to cover a multitude of topics .. .. because we all like to celebrate so many different things!  The list seem endless .. ... a new home, a new job, graduations, Christmas, Friendship, Love, Weddings, Wedding Anniversaries, Mothers Day, Father's Day (eeekkk!  that is on the horizon)!

So that is me for today.  But just one quick (but very big) thing I would like to mention before I go.  I don't know if any of you are familiar with Debbie Simpson (aka Debs) and her lovely blog "Especially For You".  She has been on lots of design teams and is a regular magazine contributor.  

We have worked together on design teams in the past and have stayed in contact over the years and she is such a fabby friend .. .. .. well today is a huge day for her.  She is making her debut appearance on Create and Craft at 6.00pm showcasing products from The Hobby House. My machine has been set on record for days!

I am wishing her all the luck in the world and feel sure she will become a regular face on our TV.  If you fancy having a quick peep at some of the work she has done in preparation for tonight you will find it here.  Fabulous work!  I wonder if she will get chance to demo many of them.

Debs says that "her tummy is a bit wobbly" .. .. I think mine would be doing more than wobbling!!! LOL!!

Have a good day everyone - and get the sun cream on the shopping list, ready for the lovely weekend we are being promised!!!.

Love

THURSDAY'S CHILD

Hi Everyone

Happy Thursday!

It is looking like we are in for another lovely day here today.  The sun has got his hat on already (and the washing machine is working its magic)!!

So today starts the next theme for my blog .. .. Thursday's Child where I am going to be posting anything child related. 

This is my (rather bright) creation for today .. .. .. 

This used:

Image:  Bugaboo:  Frame It - Bears Birthday  (whilst linking up I noticed there is a 50% off sale happening until the 8th May!!)
Sentiment:  Kolette Hall:  Party! 
Backing Papers:  Wild Rose Studio:  Polka Dots
ProMarkers
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Glamour dust used with a glue pen for the frame
Glossy Accents for the bears noses
My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is it!

I must admit I think that bear at the bottom of the frame looks a bit worried. I wonder if he forgot to order the birthday cake!!  

My themes are nearly all complete now.  Friday is going to be "Feminine Friday" as named by the lovely Eve.  I was planning on calling it Female Friday .. .. but I much prefer Eve's title.  (She is clearly much more sophisticated than whot I is).   LOL!!!

Just Saturday to sort out now and that will be my week complete .. .. and if all goes to plan those themes will result in a nice mix of cards for my stock boxes.

Have a good day everyone.  Must dash .. ..  the crafty "must do" list is VERY long and I need to be extra hyper today!!  Certainly the lovely sunshine will help.

Love

WHITE CARD WEDNESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Wednesday!  

So here we go with the very first of my "white card Wednesday" creations .. .. which for me means no coloured card allowed .. .. .. unless I colour it myself of course.

The lovely Barb thought I would be straight in with a "white on white" creation .. .. but I definitely think I will need to build up to that!  I don't know about you, but I find white on white cards very hard to photograph :-(

I think that this might be the most challenging, but possibly the most rewarding, of my themes .. ..  .. but never let it be said I make things easy for myself !

So here we go .. ..

This used:

Sizzix Dies:  "654901" Daisies #2 and "658232" Leaves and Vine
Sentiment:  Hobby Art Clear "CS013D" Floral Greeting
X-Cut Embossing Folder:  Small Polka Dot (love the 6x6 folders as they cover a card front nicely without any joins to hide)
Scrapberry's Stencil:  Petals
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads:  Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Dried Marigold and Peeled Paint
Papermania Dew Drops
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Ribbon from my crafty stash box

So that is my first attempt at culling some of the white card that is in my possession .. .. I have quite a lot left over from the wedding work I do .. .. .. so I am unlikely to run out in a hurry.

Right then.  A much needed craft pod clear up next, then off to quickly dip my head into the laundry basket.  We have clear pale blue skies here today and sunshine, so I might get a bit of washing on the line at some stage today.

As for the Thursday theme .. .. .. .. well I need to get kids creations into the mix somehow, so I am going to go with "Thursday's Child". This can then cover new baby cards, and children's birthdays and Christmas makes (eekkk!!  Sorry to have mentioned that word!!).

Have a good day everyone and I'll catch you again soon.

Love

TEENY, TINY TUESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Tuesday .. .. which feels like a Monday (or is that just me!!).

I hope your Bank Holiday weekend was enjoyable.

Mine was lovely and relaxing.

I added a lovely new "happy couple" to my wedding work list .. ..  I know I am going to thoroughly enjoy working for them.  Love their style and wedding plans.

I also took a lot of my work downstairs so I could chip away at it whilst in the company of the lovely Mr Heart .. .. but of course I now need to start bringing it all back upstairs!  I think if I had one of those "dumb waiter" lift things fitted into the dining room/back bedroom chimney breasts that would be a great improvement in my life.  LOL!!

Anyway, teeny tiny Tuesday sees the appearance of one of my 3.5" square creations .. .. and here it is:

 This used:

Backing Paper:  Dovecraft "Serendipity"
Sentiment:  Woodware "BD23 2DE" (no name though)

Butterfly Stamp and Die Set:  Tonic Studios Rococo Dies "Juliet"

My Trusty Sewing Machine

Ribbon and pearls from my crafty stash box

Christmas cracker left overs

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

I think some of my "happy couples" would like invitations that looked like this!

The Butterfly Stamp and Die Set was actually one of my crafty Christmas presents from the London Kids.  I just had to borrow my DIL's Cuttlebug to try it out whilst I was there.. .. and found that the butterfly looked beautiful cut from the Christmas cracker waste.. .. .. .. so I came home with half a carrier bag full of Christmas cracker waste.  What am I like ?!!?

Many thanks for all the fabulous suggestions for themes on my blog. 

I had a few thoughts of my own too and your suggestions have confirmed that some would be a good idea.

For Wednesday I am going with "white card Wednesday" .. .. this was already top of my own list, but was also suggested by the lovely Lynn.  You wouldn't believe how many white card offcuts I have from my wedding work and no way can I just throw them away!!  So time to get my thinking cap on and reduce their numbers.

I have an idea for Thursday too .. .. unless anything better crops up.

Have a great day everyone, and thanks again for being such great blog buddies!

Love 

MONDAY'S MALE

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday . .. . in fact happy Bank Holiday Monday!

No lie in and being lazy here though.  My brain kicked into action super early so I decided I might as well get up and start on some of the things I want (or should I say NEED) to do today.  But before I get stuck in here is my share for today:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "2895H" Teed Up
Sentiment:  Cardio Collection "Sentiments - 1" Hello, Best Wishes
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat (sorry the boutique is now closed but I still love and use all the designs I bought before that sad day became reality)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die:  "Grass"
Nestabilities:  Classic Ovals and Scalloped Ovals
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Chalks for the image background
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Ribbon from my crafty stash box

I have decided that Monday can be designated for male cards in the future.  I never have enough of those.

So Sunday will be for Snippets

Monday for Male cards

Tuesday for my Teeny, Tiny Makes

and I wonder what Wednesday and the rest of the week will become?  Suggestions welcome.

I find I am much more productive if I know what I need to make.  So if each day has a theme I will be half sorted.  Nothing worse than sitting down and thinking "what shall I make?" -  the choices are too vast.

Enjoy your day today.  I hope you get to have a little bit of crafty time to yourself.

Love

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

Happy Sunday and happy May.  I hope you are having a nice relaxing bank holiday weekend.

Trying hard here in the House of Hearts to use up some of the old paper pads that only have a few bits left in them .. .. .. after all how can you warrant having any more if you haven't used the old ones LOL!!

So this creation has helped a little in my quest .. .. though I have to admit to it being one of my favourite pads.  I love the colours.

As always on a Sunday I am lazy and don't list my ingredients (sorry Kath), but if there is anything you need to know you only need to ask.

But not too lazy because this card follows a sketch which I have designed today and added to my little sketch library tab at the top of my blog.  If you fancy using any of the sketches on there anytime then please feel free to do so.

So that is me for today .. .. it just leaves me to head over with my make to Pixie's Snippets Playground .. .. grab my maypole and run before the fun is over.  I hope the rain doesn't send all my crepe paper flowers soggy and droopy LOL!!!

Have a lovely rest of Sunday everyone  . .. .. . catch you again soon.

Love

HAPPY SATURDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Saturday .. .. and happy Bank Holiday weekend.  I hope that it is a good one for everyone.

A little share today featuring a cute little stamp I gained from Ebay this week.  Can't believe it has taken me so long to realise how many lovely crafty bargains can be had from there!

This used:

Image:  Stampin Bella "Claudia has a Candy" 
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat (sadly no longer trading)
Backing Papers:  TinkerNcodigital "English Garden"
Die-Namics Die Set:  "Blueprints 14"
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Glamour Dust
Diamond Stickles
Ribbon from my crafty stash box

The mention of yesterday's "liberty bodice" sparked off some great conversations .. .. and memories for lots of folk.  I loved reading those .. .. thanks for sharing them.

In the afternoon I went to spend time with my Mum and she asked me what I had been doing and I told her about my blog post and everyone's comments and she really enjoyed hearing them all .. .. and it sparked off lots of memories for her.  She then began telling me about other things she  could remember as a child (but don't worry, I won't go into all of those!).

Mum was connected to the internet earlier this year as she wanted to download more games to play on her tablet and to join Facebook so she could see what her many Grandchildren were up to (not bad at nearly 86 - even I don't do Facebook!!).   So we then ended up searching for all the things she could remember which then sparked off even more memories for her.  I think she really enjoyed reminiscing .. . and I certainly enjoyed listening.

Who would have thought all that would have come out of encountering a rubber button whilst ironing!!  LOL!!

Anyway, time to get ready for today's "happy couple" now .. .. but I will hopefully catch you again tomorrow.

Have a good day!

Love

HAPPY FRIDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday ... ahead of what I hope is going to be a good Bank Holiday weekend for us all.

Mine is going to be pretty full on work wise . .. but I shall enjoy it as it is all crafty work and happy couples .. .. I have pretty much got  all of the boring housework sorted:-)

Plus I shall have the added bonus of Mr Heart being around for an extra day.

Today's share is another wedding anniversary card

This used:

Image:  Kaisercraft Clear Stamps "CS246" Treasured Moments (for the butterflies)

Sentiment:  Penny Black Clear Stamps "30-176" Sentimental

Backing Papers:  Dovecraft "Sweet Paris"

Nestabilities:  Squares

Josy Rose:  Nail Heads

Silver Embossing Powder

X-Cut Heart Punch

My Trust Sewing Machine

I was up with the lark today and have got lots done already, including getting all of the boring ironing out of the way .... and whilst ironing a new top that Mr Heart has just bought, I was taken in just a split second down memory lane because when I put it on the hanger and fastened the top button I was surprised to find that the buttons were made of rubber .. ... just like I used to have on my "liberty bodices" when I was a little girl.

Does anyone else remember those or am I really showing my age now?

For you young spring chickens out there .. .. they used to look like this and you would wear them over your vest in winter.

At the start of winter they would be lovely and thick and super warm but by the end of winter they would be much thinner, and all the lovely soft fleece type lining would be matted and flattened.  All of those buttons down the front were made of rubber and I used to love them. They would squish in your fingers and feel so different to the plastic buttons of today.

It might seem a weird thing to wear .. .. but you have to remember there was no central heating in those days so you needed lots of layers .. .. plus of course that lovely roaring coal fire! I bet that is why families of the past spent more time together.  If you wanted to be warm there was only one place to be .. .. next to the fire with the rest of your family.

Isn't it funny how your brain works and how just touching a button can bring back so many happy memories.

The sad thing is I got this image off a museum website .. .. today I feel quite old LOL!

Have a good day everyone and a great Bank Holiday weekend.

Love

THURSDAY ALREADY!

Hi Everyone

Happy Thursday!

I can't believe the week is disappearing so quickly!  

Our weather wasn't quite so bad yesterday .. .. more what you would expect from April, a spell of sunshine then a little rain session .. .. what a very dear old friend I met many years ago when I first started work used to call "growing weather".   He taught me lots about gardening and is the only chap I know who could pull up nettles with his bare hands and not get stung.  I am guessing he had tough, hardworking hands!

Anyway, my shares today are projects I completed for the most recent issue of Quick Cards Made Easy magazine which went on sale this week.

I was fortunate to be asked to work on a couple of commissions and here are my favourites from each of the commissions.

The first is a card from a silhouette commission

and this second card is part of a spotlight technique commission 

  

I really enjoyed both commissions, but because we work so far in advance it seems quite a while ago now since I made them.

So that is me .. .. nice and early again.  Oh I do hope this can become a good habit!  I am getting lots of lovely emails and comments about how nice it is to see me posting more regularly again .. ..  thank you for those .. ..  I promise I will try my best to keep it up!!!

Catch you again soon and have a good day today.  Once again we are starting off with lovely sunshine but the local radio is talking of "winter scenes like you would see on a Christmas card" not very far away!!  Brrrr!!!!  Sounds about right for a Bank Holiday weekend!  LOL!!

Love

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Hi Everyone

Happy Wednesday!!!

Gosh .. .. this new posting routine seems to be going well .. .. I wonder how long it will last? LOL!!

I don't about you but yesterday we had just about all the seasons in one day!  Huge snowflakes, thunder and lightening, rain and even beautiful sunshine and blue skies.  The blinds in my craft pod were going up and down, up and down, like a chimney sweeps brush all day.  One minute I was being blinded by the sun and the next it was dull.

Today is starting off with a good frost and sunshine .. .. so let's see whether we get another repeat of yesterday!

Anyway, just a simple and cute anniversary card from me today

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3608J" Love Tail
Sentiment:  Mama Elephant "Bountiful Blessings
Backing Papers:  TinkerNCodigital "Grandma's Attic 2" (careful if you dare to link - lots of beautiful downloads)
ProMarkers
Josy Rose: Nail Heads
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Glamour Dust
Glossy Accents
Lace and Ribbon from my crafty stash box

So that is me for today .. .. bright and early again .. .. woo hoo!!!

Time now to go and line up the work for the day!  

Order of Service and place name printing, invites to design, some general orders to complete and lovely magazine commissions to work on.  

I think I will have enough to keep me quiet! LOL!!

Have a good day everyone.

Love

TEENY, TINY TUESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Tuesday!

Well no problem posting a card today .. .. because this is the teeny tiny card I made for last Tuesday and ran out of time to post!

For anyone new to my teeny tiny makes, they measure a whole three and a half inches square .. .. so are probably smaller than they actually appear on your screen!

I love putting them together and always make a tiny envelope to go with them.

This used:

Images:  Card-io Clear Stamps Sets: Veranda View, Pleasant Pastures and Sweet Birdhouse
Sentiment:  Penny Black Clear Stamp Set "Gratitude"
Backing Papers: Craft Sensations "All Time Favourites"
Memento Dew Drop Ink Pads
X-Cut Heart Punch
Glossy Accents for adding to the heart (there should be no trouble finding it today!)
Flat backed pearls from my crafty stash box
My trusty sewing machine
We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

and that is me for today!

I am definitely feeling a little hyper at the moment with lots of things buzzing through my head that I want to do .. .. which is probably a good thing as I have plenty to be getting on with.  I think it must be Spring Fever .. ..  LOL!!!

Have a good day and I'll catch you soon.

Love

MONDAY'S MALE

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday!

Bright and early again for me today.

I am trying a new routine here in the House of  Hearts in an attempt to get more of my creations onto my blog.  After all it isn't as if I am not making things .. .. they just don't seem to make it to my blog.

Probably the mistake I have been making is to dive head first into my "crafty do list" and then run out of time at the end of the day to actually post anything.  So perhaps I should turn things on their head and post first!!  Sounds like a good plan but we will see how it goes LOL!!

Today's card is one for the boys

This used:

Image:  Lili of the Valley "Super Striker"

Sentiment:  Die-Versions Corner Concepts Die "Happy Birthday"

Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat (sadly the boutique is now closed .. boo hoo!!)

Nestabilities:  Squares

X-Cut Corner Rounding Punch

ProMarkers

Diamond Stickles

Ribbon from my crafty stash box

and it would appear that I gave a few people a bit of torture treatment on Friday.. .. so just to put you out of your misery this is where the heart was:

in the bottom right hand corner.

So that is me for today folks .. .. .. see you tomorrow!

Have a good day.

Love