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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.

Thursday 23 December 2010

NEARLY MY FAVOURITE DAY!!

Hi Everyone

How goes it?

I am feeling really sorry today for all the people who are having to work on Christmas Eve.. .. I have been there and done that for many, many years and know what a struggle that is.  The torture of food shopping and trying to prepare everything at the last minute is just a nightmare .. .. though we experienced a bit of this today when we nipped to pick up the things we forgot last night!!! 

(Note to self .. .. next year start your shopping list earlier and buy everything on the first shopping trip).  This morning it was horrendous compared to last night .. .. thank goodness we only wanted a few things so that we were able to queue and go through the "self service" bit. 

Am I the only person who loves doing the self-service thingy?  I remember the first time I used one I was so excited and I asked the woman who was supervising whether "if I was quick enough  would I get offered a job?".  The supervisor laughed and replied that I could have a job anyway because no-body else wanted them!!!

I am sure I could work on a supermarket checkout .. .. though perhaps I wouldn't stay employed for very long as I would end up asking people what they are planning on doing with the things they have chosen or would be telling them not to buy something because it was rubbish when I had some LOL!!!

This has been my first Christmas whilst I have been full time self employed .. .. so I have been allowed to "nip out" when I want to in order to avoid crushes and rushes without having to grovel to a boss!!!  Luxury!!

I haven't given myself the luxury of stopping production yet though .. .. .. I am still working hard at creations ready for selling in the new year.  My brain is currently in "valentine card" gear!!  Right up my street!!

Anyway, here is my share for today:






This used:

Image:  Crafty Individuals "CI-207" Leaves and Flowers
Sentiment:  Elzybells
Backing Paper:  Funky Hand
Sizzix:  Tattered Florals Die
Martha Stewart Punches:  Traditional Scallop and Frond
Woodware Punch:  Small Daisy
Clear Embossing Powder
Distress Inks
Ribbon and Brads from the Stash Box
I have possibly been really naughty with this Crafty Individuals stamp because it came as one solid stamp for mounting on an acrylic block.  It is eally meant to be used as a background and originally looked like this:



I felt very bad in chopping it up.  But I now have lots of little individual stamps I can use them for clear embossing and using my distress inks with!!   I hope Santa doesn't think that was too naughty and decides not to come and visit me!!! 

Edited to say:  Apparently the stamp set is meant for cutting up!!!!  Yay!!!  Santa will be visiting me after all!!! 

So tomorrow is my favourite day of Christmas.  Christmas Eve.  The day I put on my pinny and do lots of baking and cooking and the house always smells beautiful .  You can't have Christmas Eve without the smell of homemade mincepies wafting about and the radio playing all the Christmas songs.

I hope that everyone is "on track" with what they want to do ahead of the "big day".

If you are travelling then please have a safe journey.  We are still not sure if big baby boy and his wife are travelling to us yet.  It is going to be a  last minute decision and they will travel Christmas Day morning if that feels like the right decision.  We just need to see what the weather does in the meantime. 

Whatever they decide will be fine with me.  If they come it will be fantastic to see them.  If they don't it will be equally good to know that they are safe and I won't have to worry about them during their travels.  What are Mother's like?!?!?!?

I'll catch you again tomorrow.

Happy Christmas Eve, Eve!!!! LOL!!!

Love

19 comments:

Beryl said...

Absolutely gorgeous Jules. I love the colours an the stamping and I have to say that if I had this stamp sheet I'd have used it as individual stamps too.
Have a fab Christmas.
Beryl xx

Di said...

Love the card Jules, really different and lovely colours. I think i'd have to cut that stamp up too. Have a lovely Chistmas and i hope your son and his wife are able to make it, xxx

Doreen said...

This is stunning Jules I love the cut up stamp I love your flowers and ribbon too. I to make my mincepies on Christmas eve.
We drove to the Wirral today and picked Stephen up so I now have him safely here with us. I do hope your son and his wife make it to you.xxx

PinksyDoodles said...

This is a gorgeous card Jules. I love the colours in your stamping.
I chopped this stamp plate up too, I thought I was supposed to!!
Clare x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card Jules, lovely to see some non-Christmas, have a fab time. Sue x

Little K Smith said...

Oohhh this is sooo beautiful Jules! I think you had the right idea cutting the stamp up! :D
Gorgeous colours too! Love it!
Happy Christmas Eve Eve too and have a wonderful Christmas! :D
Kelly.x

Grenouille Greetings said...

And this is gorgeous. I thought the paper was a DP to start with! Do enjoy your Christmas, Jules! Big Hugz, Lesley

Juls said...

LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! Love all the gorgeous inky techniques you have used!! I think if you get gorgeous results like this you should be allowed to cut up any stamps you want to!!!!!! FABULOUS AND CREATIVE WORK!!!!!!!! Hugs Juls

Sally H said...

Hi Jules
This is really gorgeous! That plate of stamps is one of the 'Crafty Elements' range that are meant for cutting up. They are fabulous aren't they? Such lovely warm colours. Beautiful! Have a wonderful Christmas if I don't manage to pop over again xxx

Tracy said...

Wow what a gorgeous card, I can see why you cut the stamp up,it looks like it would be more versatile for you. Love your inking Jules. I love the gorgeous colours you've used.

Hope your son manages to get to yours, Have a wonderful christmas and a happy new year
Tracy x

Vicky said...

Hiya Jules!
Wow! wonderful work hun, that stamp plate is truly beautiful and you have done such a creative job on your card :o)
Enjoy your day tomorrow, Mmmmmm baking and mince pies, I can smell them already lol! I am sadly working all day tomorrow (in at 7.30 and finishing around 6pm!!), so not so much baking in the bailey household!, but at least I am not working Xmas day woohoo!
Take care and fingers crossed for your baby coming on Xmas day,
hugs Vicky xx

Fleur said...

Hi Jules, I love the self checkout too & so does Mackenzie ~ she feels very grown up.
I got some baking done yesterday, got some toblerone brownies done & cheese scones & Mackenzie made fairy cakes with dairy milk choc chunks Mmmmmm!
Your card is very pretty I do love those stamps
Have a wonderful Christams
Hugz Fleur xxx

Anonymous said...

lol, only thing I'm happy with losing my job, is that I don't have to work Christmas checkout anymore! CRAZY time of year, and crazy people! lol


GORGEOUS Card Jules, really love this!

yeah I was thinking that set would be mean't for cutting up, doesn't look backgroundry to me, LOVE what you did with it!!

HAVE A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS JULES!!! You really deserve it!! ENJOY!

Kath Stewart said...

stunning card jules...hope you have a wonderful happy christmas and me too I would rather my folks were safe and warm....big hugs kath xxx

Pauline said...

Gorgeous card Juls. Love the colour combo and the inking techniques used.

I had everything planned for the festivities. Then nasty mr flu paid me a visit followed by mrs chest infection. Now I'm dosed up with antibiotics and wondering where I'm going to get the engery from to host the Christmas meal tomorrow. Hoping to at least get some of the side dishes done/prepped during today.

I agree about the smell of mincepies. But this year they may have to wait until after the big day.

Hope your son and wife manage to join you. Have a great day.

Hugs, Pauline x

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

what a really glorious card, a truely beautiful floral treat . enjoy your Christmas, my hubby is working till 2pm then off for 4 days...yipee
janexx

Nannieflash said...

Hi Jules I dont see why you carnt cut up stamp sets after all you bought them anyway. Stunning card love it, its so fresh looking.
Hope your son manages the journey and you all have a wonderful Christmas, take care with love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

Lou said...

Hi! Jules such a lovely card,your stamping is perfect-very special.
Thanks for your Christmas Wishes.
***** Merry Christmas ***** to you too,hope you have a truly lovely time.
hugs Lou.xx

Linby said...

Gorgeous card, I love how you have used the stamp.
Linbyx