My photo
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.

Tuesday 31 July 2012

DRESSED UP

Hi Everyone

Hope you have all had a good day.

It has seemed really cool here today .. .. nearly needed a jumper on!!!  What's that all about?

I have been seeing a lovely new "happy couple" for the first time this evening .. .. I was hoping there would be bright sparkly sunshine for looking at card and ribbon samples but instead we had to make do with the electric lights!  That just didn't seem right for an early summer evening!  

So now just time for a quick share ahead of a late meal:





This used:

Image:  Penny Black "2082E" Dressed Up
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Papers:  Well to be honest these are so old that I don't know!!! Sorry :-(  I have tried to find out off the old tinternet but it was taking me longer to do that than it did  to make the card in the first place .. .. so I have given up!!  LOL!!  The stupid thing is I can remember exactly where I bought it all those years ago!!!
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Diamond Stickles
ProMarkers
Metallic Cord

Short and sweet  .. .. catch you again soon.

Love

Monday 30 July 2012

TORTURE TREATMENT OVER

Hi Everyone

I hope you have had a good day and the world is being kind to you.

It has been weddings and magazine work all the way for me today so unfortunately nothing that I can share with you .. .. but I will put a few people out of their misery and show you where the hearts were hiding that managed to torture some of you lovely blog buddies,

The first one is from Friday's make ..... and there were actually three to be had!! LOL!!!



Next was from my snippet make yesterday .. .. and there were so many hearts on that one it was unbelievable.   LOL!!



Rotten aren't I?

But hopefully everyone I was cruel to will forgive me .. .. and they will get a good night's sleep tonight!!

I will be back with a share tomorrow (if all goes to plan).

Enjoy the rest of this evening.

Love

Sunday 29 July 2012

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

Happy Sunday!

Bright and early for me .. .. .. I got up for a quick play in the craft pod before the day took hold and decided to give some of the offcuts of white card a bashing today .. .. and as usual I got carried away .. .. so a double dose of snippets today.

Both are for entering into Pixie's Crafty Snippet Challenge and the Christmas card is also for Sandra's July Rudolph Day Challenge.

It has been a good while since I have posted more than one snippet make on a Sunday .. .. and so early too .. .. woo hoo!!  I thought I might be early enough to be first into the snippet playground . .. but no .. .. three playmates have beaten me to it.  But being number four means that the numbers have been evened up for playing on the see-saws!!  LOL!!

Anyway, enough waffle and round to photo overload .. .. .. 







A goodly amount of white offcuts used here .. .. .. now if I just make another 400 like these I might be able to shut the "not so little" white card drawer LOL!!

Hubby has just volunteered to take me to my ribbon shop for stocking up on wedding ribbons .. .. that wasn't on my schedule for today .. .. but I know I will only regret it if I don't take him up on the offer.

Mmmmm... .. what can I do that is crafty whilst on the car journey ?!?!?!?   Not much I fear :-(

Have a brilliant Sunday everyone and hopefully I will get chance this evening to spend some time having a good old blog hop as I am mega overdue on that front !!!

Love

Saturday 28 July 2012

HOW CUTE IS THIS?

Hi Everyone

Hope your weekend has got off to a good start.  Wasn't the opening of Olympics brilliant?  Not that I have seen it all yet .. .. no way can I sit down in front of the TV for that long without nodding off!!

However, there has been lots of fun in the House of Hearts craft pod today (sunshine is wasted on me!!).

Some of you may know from previous years that my lovely Sister and I take part in the Melbourne Arts Trail each year.  My Sis sells her gorgeous bags and I take my makes.

Well it is getting close to panic stations with regards getting stock together .. .. .. only 48 days to go!!!  Eeeekk!! (Not that I have a countdown on my laptop or anything LOL!!).

I have hardly worked on any stock .. .. it has all been wedding work recently .. ..  and the stock which I had made has been sold already!

So quick and fun makes needed in a hurry.

Last year I did really well with the little handbag cards .. .. so this year I am trying my luck with these cute little cards.  They are only dinky .. .. about 4" high .. .. but I think they might have novelty value.



This used:

Hero Arts Frame Cuts "Cupcake Frame"
Papers and Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Diamond stickles, glamour dust and a little gem

The frame set comes with the heart, a candle or a cherry.  Of course I will ring the changes but for my first play with it I just had to use the heart!!   (Whoops I gave you a clue there).  LOL!!

I got the idea from the Hero Arts Blog here.  The lady in the video has put quite a bit of dimension into her version (which looks extra cool)  .. .. I will do some like this, but the majority I want to keep fairly flat so that they are a bit cheaper when it comes to buying postage stamps!  

Plus they are going to be brilliant for using up some of those pesky snippets.

Have a good evening everyone.

Catch you tomorrow with my snippets.

Love

Friday 27 July 2012

THANK YOU

Hi Everyone

I hope your day has been good.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my creation of yesterday.  I wasn't too sure on the ribbon .. .. but everyone seemed to like it so I feel much better about it now :-)

Are you looking forward to the Olympics?

I am not a huge fan of "every sport going" .. .. but there will be some I will hope to catch.  

But having said that I "am" a huge, huge fan of the commitment and dedication that all of these hundreds and hundreds of people will have put into their chosen sports in the hope of winning a medal for their country.  Plus I will be gutted for those that have worked so hard for years and years who perhaps fall or stumble and then their hopes and dreams are dashed in a split second.  Especially if it is perhaps their last chance to participate .. .. oh dear .. .. I've got a lump in my throat already.  What am I like!!!

I just know I will slowly get drawn into it bit by bit and my patriotism will be stronger than ever.

But no red, white and blue today though .. .. I still seem to be in brown mode!!





This used:

Sentiment:  Elzybells   -   sadly no longer trading :-( 
Backing Papers:  Raspberry Road
Sizzix Die:  "656521" Flower with Leaves and Stem #2
X-Cut Punch:  Corner Rounder
Eyelets, Button, Bead and Ribbon from the Stash Box
White and Black Gel Pen

and that is it!!

Not much to this one but hopefully you like it.

Well, I had better get into that bath.  I came upstairs to get into it about half and hour ago .. .. but have ended up posting my little creation instead.

Hubby will be running up the stairs thinking I am having a little snooze amongst the bubbles!!!

Have a good evening everyone and a good weekend too!

Catch you tomorrow

Love

Thursday 26 July 2012

PRE-LOVED STASH

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a good day.

Just for a change I am quite pleased with mine.  I have actually completed what I had put on my "do-list" for today!!  Woo hoo!!

A whole mountain of stuff still on it .. .. but today's schedule is met!

So in celebration I decided it was time I used a scrummy "pre-loved" stamp that I bought from my lovely blog buddy Anne at Wicked Designs.  Thanks Anne xx.

Anne still has a few goodies for sale on her "for sale" tab if anyone is interested.

The "pre-loved" part of this creation is the huge gorgeous flower stamp ... and this is what I made with it:




This used:

Image:  Hero Arts "Large Flower"
Sentiment:  Penny Black "3849E" Birthday Dreams
Martha Stewart Punch:  Traditional Scallop
White and Clear Embossing Powder
X-Cut Butterfly Punch
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Nestabilities:  Labels Four
Distress Inks:  Tea Dye and Brushed Corduroy (what a funny word that is!!!)
Ribbon, button and pearls from the Stash Box

So to make my background I started by stamping the flower using a Clear Versamark Ink Pad and I embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then I stamped again and embossed with white embossing powder .. .. but the white stuck to a few places it shouldn't have .....  umph!!  Never mind!!  LOL!!

Then I distressed around the edge with the two distress inks.

I hope Anne thinks I have done her pre-loved stamp justice!

So that is me for today.  Bath time now .. .. just a tad earlier than normal .. .. then I might just do a "little" job off tomorrows "do list" .. .. which means I will wake up ahead of the game .. ..woo hoo!!!

Have a good evening everyone!!!

Love

Wednesday 25 July 2012

HOW MANY DAYS TO MAKE A CARD ?

Hi Everyone

Well so much for me saying that I won't be such a stranger this week!!!

I think things have been just as busy this week as last .. .. ..  and it has taken two days to get today's share together .. .. tut tut!!!

So here we go .. .. all aboard for London!!




This used:

Image:  Penny Black "30-093" Love London
Sentiment:  Lili of the Valley
Backing Papers:  Docrafts "Best of British"
Nestabilities:  Eyelet Circles
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers and chalks
My Trust Sewing Machine

Not sure whether that cat trailing behind is going to manage to catch the bus or not .. .. and to be honest it looks like it would be standing room only if he did!!  Would that be allowed in today's Bus Travelling Health and Safety Directive?  LOL!!

OK then .. . . short and sweet from me today .. .. but better than what I have managed the last couple of days.

I now need to work on a long list of sample requests ready for new happy couples and possible weddings next year and then decorate the odd 100 or so favour boxes!!

My happy couples that got married at the weekend had a lovely time.  Hard to think that this time last week we were making last minute changes to things.

One lovely couple sent me a message from the airport just before they boarded their plane to say they couldn't leave the country without sending me a huge thank you and to report that they had had "the best day of their lives".  How lovely!!  Can't believe I even crossed their minds as they began their honeymoon!!!

My other couple that got married on Saturday have also escaped the county and the lovely Mum of the Bride popped round on Monday as she already had photographs to share!!  Apparently the photographer was printing them out for people to take away from the reception as a keepsake.  

How different to when we got married!  We had to wait weeks for ours .. .. only to find the photographs were the most rubbish wedding pictures you could ever imagine.  After a fuss and palaver they agreed to print them again.  Were they any better the second time?   Nah!!!

Never mind .. .. I gained a good hubby.  

That's better than an album of lovely photographs and a rubbish hubby!

Hopefully catch you again soon.

Love

Sunday 22 July 2012

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

Happy Sunday!!!

What a glorious day .. .. let's hope summer has arrived ready for the children's summer holiday.

We have had a lovely day celebrating Neil's birthday .. .. and I now feel like I won't want to eat for a week LOL!!

I am here with my snippet entry for Pixie's Crafty Snippet Challenge this week (which I naughtily made yesterday because I just knew I would have no chance to play with snippets today).  





As always I am being totally lazy and not saying what I have used for my creation .. .. .. with the exception of the image!!!

I just have to tell you about this because it came as a free gift from Pink Petticoat .. .. and I love to share when I come across something good!!    It comes free when you spend £1.49 on Liz's newly released image/sentiment set (which is equally as scrummy).  If you want a little look the link is here.   But you need to be quick .. .. the offer runs out today!!!! (Sunday 22nd).

Right .. .. a quick link up for me and then back to the favour boxes.  I think I am winning slowly!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Hopefully I won't be such a stranger this week.

Love

Saturday 21 July 2012

A CARD AT LAST .. .. AND A CATCH UP !!!

Hi Everyone

GUESS WHO ?!?!?!?

Well I predicted a huge manic week this past week in the House of Hearts .. .. and it was!!

I can't believe all that has been done since the last time I posted a card and I finished the week absolutely wacked!  All of it was wedding work and nothing I could share .. .. sorry :-(

But I had a good sleep last night .. .. firstly on the sofa and eventually in bed .. .. and then this morning I got up full of energy, super excited and hyper yet again!!  Yay!!!

Two of my "happy couples" got married this week.  One yesterday and one today.  The weather today has been beautiful and even yesterday wasn't too bad .. .. I am just hoping the weather was OK for the photographs yesterday.

The huge roll of bubble wrap was used to wrap two table plans that were finished and picked up this week .. .. and even though some has been taken off and used it looks larger than ever!!  I think it is growing daily LOL!!!

Anyway today I have made a card to give to a very special young man.   He loves trains and would happily sit and travel on a train all day, all night and probably all week given the chance!!  

We are out for a special meal to celebrate his birthday tomorrow so will be eating our dinner at 1.00pm .. .. gosh that will be a shock to our system .. .. but a lovely one!  I can't remember the last time we ate our Sunday dinner at such a respectable time LOL!!!

So here is my make for a very special young man called Neil xx




This used:

Image:  Inkadinkado "92559-M"  
Sentiment:  Lili of the Valley
Backing Papers:  Cuddly Buddly
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Nestabilities:  Eyelet Circles
Charm and Cord from the Stash Box

This coming week is going to be as busy as last week (but not manic hopefully)  .. ..  lots of wedding work and wedding samples for possible "future happy couples" .. ..  but I am also hoping to be able to post a few cards starting with my snippet make tomorrow .. .. which I have to confess I made today in readiness as tomorrow I need to make a mountain of favour boxes (as well as celebrate Neil's birthday).

OK off to get the evening meal finished.

I'll catch you tomorrow with my snippet make.

Have a good evening and I hope you didn't faint at me actually managing to post!!

Love


otherwise known as "the stranger of blogland!!"  LOL!!

Tuesday 17 July 2012

HOW MANY BUBBLES?

Hi Everyone

Good news!!!

The bubble wrap arrived this morning "and" it was able to fit through the front door .. .. just!!  Yay!!!



It arrived at a very early 7.45am and I could tell that even the delivery man thought so much bubble wrap was amusing.  He just couldn't help but smile and have a little laugh as he stood it in the doorway whilst I signed on the electronic machine.

I said "thank goodness it fits through my front door".  (Perhaps he was hoping it wouldn't so that he could burst a few metres of the bubbles LOL!!).

It will also fit up the stairs .. .. but not through the trap door into the roof space which is where my bubble wrap normally lives.  There might be a bit of "decanting onto the old cardboard tube" happening tonight.

I am sure my lovely hubby will enjoy doing  that .. .. .. "not" !!  .. .. ..  and every time he bursts a bubble I will say "don't waste them" LOL!!

Still super busy here with wedding work so nothing more than fresh air trapped in plastic to share with you today.

Not sure when the general cardmaking will re-start .. .. ..  lots of brides to keep happy first!!

Hope you are all having a good week .. .. I am missing seeing what you are all up too :-(

Love

Sunday 15 July 2012

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

A super fast post today with my Sunday snippet share for entering into Pixie's Crafty Snippet Challenge.

 A goodly number of snippets met their doom today LOL!!




As always on a Sunday I am super lazy and don't list what I have used .. .. but ask away if there is anything you wish to know.

I hope you have all had a good weekend.

I am hopeful for some sunshine this week .. .. but we will have to just wait and see!!

No theme for next week .. .. I am having a free and easy theme if I get the chance as the "do list" for this coming week is   HUGE!!!

Love

Saturday 14 July 2012

GET WELL THEME - 5 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Here at last with my last card in the mini "get well" series.

I saved this image until last as it is my all time favourite image for get well cards.

I just love that cute little ted propped up on his pillow .. .. and I always imagine that he is getting a dose of Calpol (love the smell of that LOL!!).

So I am sorry Di but you didn't guess right this time .. .. no Penny Black image tonight .. .. surprise, surprise !





This used:

Image:  Lili of the Valley
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Papers:  Nitwits
X-Cut Punch:  Flower
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Diamond Stickles
ProMarkers and Chalk

Another wedding order picked up today so that is another off the list :-(  .. .. it always feels sad when I come to the end of a journey with a "happy couple".

There was a framed table plan with this order and when I bought my roll of bubble wrap downstairs ready for wrapping it I thought there was loads on the roll.  But by the time I had finished wrapping there was hardly anything left .. .. .. and I am going to need to wrap another two this week (once I have made them!!)    Eeeekk!  Bad planning on my part there and hubby wasn't impressed I could tell!

So the hunt for another roll of bubble wrap was on the cards.  A quick look on Ebay found a decent priced roll .. but there was 100m on a roll.  That did feel a little excessive.  So whilst we were out picking up ribbons for samples we went to get one from where the original roll came from .. .. only to find that I could have this huge roll for far fewer of my lovely English pounds .. .. and there would be three times as much wrap on it.  How many extra bubbles!!

Once home I ordered the huge roll .. .. now I am wondering whether it will fit through the front door .. .. eeekkk!!

Story to be continued on delivery LOL!!!

Love

Friday 13 July 2012

GET WELL THEME - 4 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Yay!!!  I made it !!!

Card 4 of 5 done and dusted!

Cooking on gas with the wedding work today .. .. which is good because I have a mountain of it to get through!

Lots of happy couples getting married over the next two months but lots of people wanting samples too ready for next year's weddings so I am being kept on my toes!  Can't be bad.

So here is today's "get well" card .. .. .. not the stamp I thought I would be using .. ..  I changed my mind at the last minute .. .. but I am happy with the result:





This used:

Image:  Penny Black "4239K" Scented Message
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Paper:  GCD Studios "Soul Food"
Distress Inks:  Tattered Rose and Tea Dye
Fiskars Punch:  Oval
My Trust Sewing Machine
ProMarkers
Buttons and lace from the Stash Box

So that is me for today.

I hope Friday 13th has been a good day for you.

Catch you tomorrow (if all goes to plan) with my final get well card .. .. using an image that I saved until last.  My favourite "get well" image.  Mmmm  ...  what could that be?!!  LOL!!

Have a good evening and a good weekend.

Love