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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 3 October 2011

HAPPY HANDY HIPPO DAY - WEEK 5

Good morning everyone

I hope you have all had a good weekend .. .. and that the weather was kind to you.  Did anyone manage a BBQ or two?!?!?

I am here today with what is probably my favourite Handy Hippo make yet .. .. I just love this image so very much.  It is going to be such a well used and well loved stamp in my collection!!

In fact it has been so popular with Handy Hippo customers that it has gone out of stock in the short time between me saying I would like to feature the stamp this week .. ..  and showing it here today!!  Yet there were loads in stock when I selected it!!

When it comes back in stock (which won't be too long I'm sure) I will give you a shout because I am sure you will love it as much as I do!!







As always I have a legendary Handy Hippo magic button .. .. and if you click on it you can see all the lovely goodies I used for this creation. They have been automatically added to a shopping basket and you can remove anything you do not need (or add anything else you can't resist).  But of course the lovely Santa and Snowman image will be missing due to popular demand :-(




Those eagle eyed crafters amongst you will have noticed that my little gems in the centre of those gorgeous snowflakes are red .. .. but my shopping list will show clear gems .. .. this is how I changed their colour.

Firstly a look at the gems as they come out of the packet


I then coloured my gem with the "fat" end of my Promarkers. 

For my card I used the colour "Ruby"


.. .. and then I got carried away and played with lots of Promarker colours!!!

Some colours needed to have several layers so I would leave one layer to dry and then add another .. .. whereas some of my
more juicy colours only needed one coat.



This is a fabby way of making a huge pack of clear gems go a long, long way.  Much better having one huge pack that you can alter than lots of different colours hanging about the craft pod.  Plus they have lovely sticky pads on the back .. .. a bit like double sided sellotape cirles .. .. but using a bit stronger glue!!

Edited to say:  you do need to allow your gems time to dry .. .. it isn't an instant drying process .. .. and if using some of the "less juicy" promarkers then let each layer dry before adding another.

A little word of warning on the little wooden snowflakes as well .. .. they are selling like hotcakes too .. .. it would seem that the whole blogging world has gone storming into Christmas mode!!  I'm thinking I need to catch up with you all!!!

I hope you have enjoyed my share today.

Just a quick catch up to all my regular readers to say that my lovely Sister and I had a fantastic day at the wedding fayre yesterday.  Thank you for all the good wishes.

A full catch up tomorrow .. .. but for today .. .. well a huge clean up of my craft pod is in order, and in fact the whole mucky house needs the same treatment !!!!  Shame on me!!  Call myself a wife!!! 

I can't believe divorce proceedings haven't been instigated as not many folks would put up with me!!  It must be true what they say .. .. love is blind!!  LOL!!!

Have a brilliant Happy Hippo Monday!!

Love


(and all the lovely friendly people at Handy Hippo)

31 comments:

Juls said...

fab card!!! I love colouring gems, its the best way to get them to match your project perfectly!!! Hugs juls

Doreen said...

Just gorgeous Jules,a fabulous image.xxx

Sarn said...

Brilliant Crimbo card!

Hugs, Sandra

Nikbee said...

I'm so glad the wedding fayre went well. Your card is wonderful. I love the image.
Nikki x

Carol said...

This is gorgeous Jules, love the image and the backing paper is fab. Carol x

Marjorie said...

Wow Hunnie, this card is stunning, and your right it is a lovely image. Your colouring is brill...and what gorgeous ribbon!!... also there must be a lot of blind men in our blog land..LOL!!
Thanks for the little tuturial....
Hugs,
Marjorie
xx

Debs M said...

gorgeous card, love the stamp and great idea with the gems x

Anonymous said...

AWWW I adore that image, frosty and santa SO SWEET!!!

Love the coloured gem, its such a great thing to do, often find myself doing that with my copics and clear gems to get the right shade etc. \

Definitely seing lots of Christmas creations about too :-)

Di said...

Hi Jules - yup, a stunning card and a gorgeous stamp too. Humph though, one of my tips for WOYWW was to be colouring gems with PMs, as you say, some work better than others - back to the drawing board :) Been sorting out here too - now I need to clear our bed so we can actually get into it tonight! Love, Di xx

Nannieflash said...

Hi Jules what a happy looking santa, hes so jolly, love your card design with that ribbon to. A stunning result. Dont need the snow just yet though. hugs Shirleyxx

Wendy said...

This is gorgeous Jules,fab image soooo cute.
Wendy xx

Cynthia said...

I'm so happy your fayre turned out so well!! Congrats!

Your card is just lovely! I can see why that stamp sold out--too cute!!

Wishcraft said...

Gorgeous card Jules :o) Love the image and fab wooden snowflakes - I've got some of these and think I'll be using them lots this year. Lisa x

Unknown said...

Gorgeous card, I love every bit of it!

Glad you and your sis had a fab time at the wedding fayre, I can definitely see your cards being very popular.

Emma

Little K Smith said...

Hi Jules
Hope you are well :) I agree, this stamp is just so gorgeous, it may have to go on me shopping list! I love the paper and the snowflakes finish it off perfectly :)
Kelly.x

Mervi said...

Hei Jules, so nice that you visited my blog again!

Wow gorgeous colouring, very joyful santa-
lovely card.
Hugs;-))m

Anonymous said...

Hi Jules, glad the wedding fayre went well. Another gorgeous card today - that stamp is beautiful, I agree. Love your paper and the wooden snowflakes.
xxx

Debbie said...

Really pleased you got on well at the wedding fayre.Lovely card with a super cute image.Thanks for the tutorial on colouring clear gems I've tried it with my gold pen and card candi - using promarkers. Great idea when we need a certain colour.Great idea.Have fun cleaning up.Love Debbie x

susiestacey said...

Hi Jules - such stunning cards over the last week, the black/white wedding invite is stunning x Susan x

Whisper said...

Superb card and you are right, an adorable image too, fabby idea for the gems, Luv Sam x

Vicky Hayes said...

What a cheerful Christmas image! No-one would want to divorce someone as positive as you Jules - you make the world a brighter place! Vx

lisa said...

I'm really glad your Fayre went well. The samples looked stunning. I especially liked the shabby chic ones, something completely different.
You certainly know how to keep yourself busy!!!
I wouldn't worry about the housework, it'll still be there another day and life's too short. You sound like you have a very patient hubby like mine.
I shall be wearing my pants inside out for him on the day, just let us know. I shall keep my fingers crossed too for extra luck!!
The weather has been amazing hasn't it. We have been so spoilt for October. It's our Wedding Anniversary today and the weather certainly wasn't like this 13 years ago!!
Have a good week.
Hugs Lisax

coops said...

fantastic card jules.i love your stunning colours and design and the image is gorgeous :D

xx coops xx

Sally said...

Hi Jules, I agree that this stamp is soooo cute, I'm not surprised that it sold out! Great tutorial, I'd never have thought of colouring gems.
Sally x

Sally said...

Hi Jules, what a gorgeous image & a really pretty card. Thanx for the tutorial, I would never have thought of colouring gems!
Sally x

Louise said...

Gorgeous can see why you love this stamp it is so cute
Hugs Louise xx

Bernie said...

I'm so glad the wedding fayre went well. Your card is fantastic! I can understand why this image has sold out, it's fabulous! And your coloring is amazing!
Blessings Bernie

Irene said...

Hi Jules

A Stunning cad with an adorable image. The tarten design paper is fabulous as are your wooden snowflakes. I am so pleased your fayre was a success.

luv
irene
xxxx

Jenny said...

Super cute image Jules...no wonder it's sold out!
Love the loopy ribbon and that penny black sentiment..they use such cool writing don't they!
Do you find the promarker colour stays on the gem as I've not had much luck doing this...perhaps I'm not waiting long enough for them to dry!!
Jenny x

Denise said...

Brilliant card - love that ribbon and the really cute image.
Hugs
Denise xx

coldwaters2 said...

Oh Jules I can see why this is your favourite that image is sooo beautiful, that sentiment and design are gorgeous I love this big time.
Hugs
Lorraine x