PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE

Hi Everyone

I hope your bank holiday weekend has got off to a good start - certainly a mixed bag of weather here - but nice enough for my "happy couple" all being well.  No major rain showers .. .. yet!!!

One of the things I miss most when I am busy on the wedding front is playing with my Penny Black stamps .. .. so today I decided I would indulge in a Penny Black session and see what the theme is this month over at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Well a bit of a struggle for me this one .. .. Wedding, Anniversary and all things Love .. .. LOL!!!

But here is what I came up with:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "1587K" So Glad to Catch You!
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Aracne Condensed Regular"
Backing Papers:  Nitwit "Everlasting Collection"
Nestabilities Dies: Circles and Scalloped Circles
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
Glossy Accents
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Metallic Twine from my crafty stash box

and that is it.

Having a crafty session with my lovely Sis today (YAY!!!) and then and Indian takeaway together ... .. happy times!!!

Catch you again soon.

SENDING LOVE

Hi Everyone

As I am sure you will all have guessed by my lack of absence in blogland .. .. things have been VERY BUSY in the House of Hearts .. .. especially on the wedding front .. .. .. and although there is still plenty to be doing, things are starting to calm down to a more "just plain busy" pace of life.

One of my "happy couples" will get married this Saturday and I am just hoping this lovely weather will last for them. They are one of four weddings I have been working on over the last few weeks and now they have all left the building I need to empty all of their boxes ready for filling with supplies for new "happy couples".

This now means I can turn my attention to some of the general orders I need to get crossed of my crafty do list .. .. as well as make a stack of cards we need for family and friends!

But before I started on those, I made this card whilst thinking of all those people who have been affected by the awful happenings this week in Manchester.  I can't even imagine what injuries some of those poor people have encountered.  So much hurt, pain and worry .. .. and so many lives changed forever in a nanosecond.

I don't know about you but when the radio alarm goes off in the morning or I switch the TV on I just dread what the news is going to reveal.

What a scary world we live in at the moment!

Anyway, here we go:

 This used:

Image:  Stampendous Clear Stamp Set "SSC1111" Agapanthus Thank You
Sentiment:  Stampendous Clear Stamp Set "SSC139" Love Messages
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat
Martha Stewart Edge Punch:  Traditional Scallop
X-Cut: Butterfly Punch (very old and no longer available)
WOW! Embossing Powder:  Metallic Platinum
Stampendous Frantage:  Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Ribbon from my crafty stash box

and that is it!

Before I go I would just like to say a very sincere thank you for all the lovely comments and emails I received following my last post when I told you about my Son's album release.  It has been a very exciting time for him (and us), which has seen him being asked to do magazine interviews and even hearing his music played on the radio.  Thankfully there are still some nice things happening in the world.

Catch you again soon.

ADRIFT

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday!!!

I definitely know what day it is today .. .. .. it is a day that our family has been looking forward to for a very long time and one for which I have had a post sitting and waiting in draft form for ages in readiness to add links and pictures.

So what is so special about today?

Well, as some of my "long standing" followers will know our youngest son works at our local technical college supporting students who experience learning difficulties.  His gentle, patient and caring personality making him (I feel) just perfect for the role.  But alongside this he works hard composing the most beautiful music.

His hard work and dedication has paid off and he has been signed up by Injazero Records and after lots of hard work from both sides he today sees his music released and available on vinyl and as a download.   What proud parents Mr Heart and I are today.  There is something extra special about seeing your children accomplish something they have aspired to and worked hard at for years .. .. for some reason it means more than accomplishing something yourself.

So here is the fabby album cover:

It is a dream come true for him, with the next round of excitement no doubt being when we see it physically for sale on the shelves of music stores.  I am so happy for him.

I used the album cover design to make him a card of congratulations .. .. .. and now he has opened it I can share it here with everyone. I wonder what he will do with it now?

Once finished it actually looked like it should contain a CD but my Son, like most true lovers of music, much prefers to have a piece of vinyl in his hands.  He owns what must be 100's of vinyl records  .. ..   but I am sure this one will rightly be the most precious one amongst his collection.

If you fancy a little listen to some of his work you will find it here - I find it super relaxing and often have it playing in the background whilst I am working.

So after a whirlwind of a day and a lot of rushing about .. .. Mr Heart and I found time to have a little celebration with him .. .. and now his card is opened I can share it, and the excitement of the day.

I don't know about you but my blog has, over the years, become a bit of a diary/journal and I love looking back over the years to things I have shared .. .. and quite often I end up looking back simply to find out when I actually did certain things .. .. but today's post is a fabby exciting one that's for sure.

Hopefully the special piece of vinyl will be in our hands tomorrow and will be spinning around on our turntable  .. .. ..  I can't wait.

Enjoy your bank holiday weekend everyone.  I hope you are doing something special.

WHERE IS THE YEAR DISAPPEARING TO?

Hi Everyone

Happy whatever day it is LOL!!!

Not only am I having to work out what year and date it is .. .. I don't even know what day it is recently!

Life is super exciting and busy with loads and loads of wedding work (some of which stretches into 2018 which even means I am having to double check I am working in the right year!).

I am just waiting for a bride to come and collect her order so thought I would take the opportunity to nip on here and share a few of my creations that feature in the new issue of Quick Cards Made Easy magazine.. .. which went on sale earlier this week.

This first picture uses the free cover gift .. .. I loved working with this .. .. .. a gorgeous little stamp and really pretty paper pad.

and these next  pictures comes from a "Stand Out Die" commission I worked on - I couldn't decide which I like best so to save making a decision have posted two.  I like them both for different reasons.

and my last one is for a feature where you are sent one product and you use it four different ways. This was my favourite from that collection which all featured gorgeous butterflies.

I really love my magazine and wedding work but also have itchy fingers for playing with some of the crafty goodies that have been dropping through the letter box!  Not sure when I will get to play with them but hopefully it will be soon!

My head is buzzing with things I want to make and create .. .. but no sooner does a day start than it is finishing!  But as they say "time flies when you are having fun".

Right, best get the kettle on for my bride - just in case she needs a cuppa!!  Anybody else want one whilst I am at it?!!?

HAPPY EASTER

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday ahead of what I hope is going to be a lovely Easter weekend for everyone (not that the weather has been very exciting today).

That hasn't mattered in the slightest here though, because today I have been trying to find the house ready for the London Kids arriving tomorrow!  Yay!!!  Can't wait for them to arrive.  I love it when we are all together.

Still lots to do before they land though so I will fly in and out and simply share an Easter card to wish you all a happy time!

This used:

Digital Image:  Lili of the Valley "Bunny Blooms" 

Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Wreath Light"

Backing Papers:  First Edition Papers "Blank Canvas"

Die-namics Dies:  Blueprints 14

Josy Rose:  Nail Heads

ProMarkers

Ribbon from my crafty stash box

Have a good break everyone .. .. and remember .. .. Easter chocolate has no calories .. .. apparently!!   How magic!  LOL!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Hi Everyone

Happy Friday ahead of what is promising to be a lovely weekend weatherwise!

Many thanks for your lovely comments on my Distress Oxide experimental pieces.  You are all very kind.

It has been a super busy week here so unfortunately no more "play time"for me .. .. it has been weddings all the way!  So many happy and excited couples in my life at the moment.

But I can share some of the creations I made for the current issue of Quick Cards Made Easy Magazine which has hit the shops.

This first card is from a collection called Batik Effects

 and this one is from a Paper Piecing Collection .. .. one of my favourite techniques

and that is all I can share at the moment.

Sorry if I haven't called to your blog recently .. .. I will catch up eventually .. .. once all these brides are married and living their happy ever afters!  LOL!!

Have a great day and a lovely weekend when it arrives.

TEENY, TINY TUESDAY .. .. TIMES TWO!

Hi Everyone

I hope you have had a happy Tuesday!

Sorry for being late getting here .. .. it's a bit much when you have the cards made and can't even find the time to post them!!  Stll need to make the envelopes too!

But as promised here are my first creations using those scrummy Distress Oxide Ink Pads that landed at the weekend.  Both are a teeny tiny 3.5" square and were a perfect size for just playing with ideas.

I sat and tried quite a few different ways of using the ink pads and wasn't disappointed with anything I created (apart from the ones where I didn't like the mix of colours I chose). They certainly do blend a lot easier than the normal distress inks .. .. but I am not showing you any blended creations today.  I am showing you the creations I am most pleased with .. .. though they are perhaps an acquired taste.

I know a few of my customers certainly won't like this first one LOL!

This was made using the inks on black card and also used:

Script Stamp: Memory Box "G1838" Vintage Dreams
Paper Smooches Die Set: Birthday Words
Distress Oxide Ink Pads (please don't ask me the colours I used LOL!!)
First Edition:  Butterfly Dies
X-Cut Embossing Folder:   Tiny Polka Hearts
White Embossing Powder
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Pearls from my crafty stash box

My second card shows the inks used directly onto kraft card .. .. love this look very much.  I then coloured over the chalky looking petals where they met the centre with a soft crayon to add a little shading, though I could have used another stamp from the set and another colour of Oxide Ink.

This used:
Image:  Stampin Up! Garden in Bloom
Sentiment:  My Favorite Things - All Occasion Sentiments
Distress Oxide Ink Pads (Worn Lipstick, China Blue, Peeled Paint, Walnut Stain and a tiny bit of Fossilized Amber)
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Button and ribbon from my crafty stash box

Once these inks get wet they seem to "pop" and look "chalk like".  You can see the difference on this last card.  I wet the decorative border but not the sentiment. .. .. . so two colours and effects from one ink pad!  Can't be bad.

Quite pleased with these for my first attempt .. .. .. but that is me for today.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

MONDAY'S MALE

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a lovely weekend and the sun has been shining for you.

It is still all systems go here in the House of Hearts .. .. but as always the busier I am the more excited about everything I get.

Saturday saw the delivery of my lovely Distress Oxide Ink Pads .. .. oh boy are they yummy scrummy!  But Saturday also saw lovely happy couples knocking on my door, which meant there was no crafty playtime.  Completed work left the house .. .. and lots more was added to my list .. .. and the inks remained unwrapped .. .. not even chance to sniff the pads to see what they smelt like. (Does anyone else have to sniff anything new that  makes its way into their hands LOL!!).

So it was Sunday before I got to play with my new acquisitions and I can't wait to share my first creation using them .. .. but that will happen tomorrow.  

Today is my Monday's Male card.  Baby boy cards seem to be in big demand at the moment, so whilst making one for a customer at the weekend I made two whilst I was at it. I should really do this more often but it rarely seems to happen.  

 This used:

Image:  Digistamp Boutique "Baby Dan"

Sentiment:  Computer generated using font "Baa Book"

Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat

Woodware Heart Punch

Josy Rose:  Nail Heads

ProMarkers

My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today.

I'll catch you again tomorrow with my Teeny Tiny Distress Oxide card!

ARE YOU AFTER TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS OXIDE INK PADS?

Hi Everyone

No card to show you .. .. my weddings are super busy today!!

But I did want to give you a quick "heads up" that Joanna Sheen has the full set of 12 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pads on offer at the moment 

here 

and as I write this there are still some available but I know they are very sought after and not likely to last long.  (My birthday pennies have headed in this direction .. woo hoo!!!  Can't wait for them to arrive).

If they are already out of stock by the time you hit the link then simply register to be informed when they are back in stock . . . which is what I did.  I know that more are on the way!!

Good luck if you head that way in an attempt to part with your crafty pennies .. .. sorry not everyone has had a birthday to boost the funds up a little though.  

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WEDNESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Wednesday!

Get me .. .. two posts on consecutive days!! Wow!!

I know today is supposed to be a day when I share creations made using "just white card" .. .. but today is special so I am breaking my own rules!  What a rebel! 

Today is Wedding Anniversary day here in the House of Hearts!  

Mr Heart and I have been married for a whole 42 years!  Not sure where all of those years have gone .. .. all I know is that each and every one of them have been happy years which I am truly grateful for. I think it is only when we look at our six foot something Sons that we realise how time is passing.

I was a whole 19 and three days old when we got married .. .. .. and now you can do the maths and work out exactly how very very ancient I am!  But I don't feel it.  I am still the giggly, excited and full of life and dreams person I was then .. .. but probably just more annoying and impatient now.  Mainly because there is so much I still want to achieve and time seems to be disappearing in the blink of an eye.

The only thing I was impatient for all those years ago was babies .. .. I couldn't wait to be a Mum.  

But anyway, enough of memory lane, here is my card for Mr Heart .. .. made far too late last night!  I mean .. ..  I have only known all year that it was going to be needed!  LOL!!

This used:

Image:  Lili of the Valley "Hearts and Flowers"

Sentiment:  Computer Generated using front "Sweetheart" and Lili of the Valley "Sentiment Tags" (though mine are the stamp version)

Backing Papers:  We R Memory Keepers "Love Notes"

ProMarkers

Crystal Glamour Dust

My Trusty Sewing Machine

Ribbon from my crafty stash box

So that is me for today ... with a soppy post and card to share.

Lots more printing and tying of ribbons for other "happy couples" for me today, ahead of clearing the dining room table and getting it set up with candles and flowers ready for our romantic dinner for two this evening.

Enjoy your day and evening .. .. whatever you may be doing.

TEENY, TINY TUESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Tuesday!

I hope your week has got off to a good start .. .. and that all you Mummies out there had a great Mother's Day on Sunday.  Mine was extra special because it was also my birthday .. . so double celebrations.  Shame I had to loose an hour of sleep though by altering the clocks!!  

So many lovely cards and presents from family and friends .. .. and a Windows 10 laptop made its way into The House of Hearts courtesy of Mr Heart.  Not that I dare even switch it on yet.  I wonder if I should get a Windows 10 for dummies book to talk me through it all? or do I qualify for Windows 10 for seniors I wonder?!!  LOL!

So far I have avoided Windows 10 like the plague and declined all the offers of free upgrades etc on my current laptop for fear of it messing up all my wedding templates etc and it not supporting all the programmes I use .. .. but my old laptop is starting to show signs of not being very happy .. .. so I guess it is time to take a leap into the unknown and slowly master Windows 10 whilst I still have the old laptop to fall back on. Oh how I hate change!

Lots for me to do on all fronts this week .. .. wedding work, magazine work and general card orders so a real mixed bag for me. Let's hope it is a long, slow week, so I can get lots done ....

But as it is Tuesday I decided to try and pull in a quick teeny, tiny card to share with you whilst my printer is on overdrive with wedding invitations .. .. and here it is . .. my little 3.5" square creation:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3347H" Duckling
Backing Paper:  Tinker & Co Digital "Oopsy Daisy"

Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
ProMarkers
White Gel Pen
We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

and that is me for today .. .. just a super simple make .. .. but hopefully one that somebody somewhere will be happy to receive..

.

WHITE CARD WEDNESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Wednesday .. .. another lovely day with some beautiful sunshine!  

It is surprising how the start of spring lifts your spirits and gets you excited about the thought of summer.  (But we won't mention how grubby the windows suddenly look though LOL!!).

So Wednesday is the day I try and use up some of my offcuts of white card .. .. and today I took inspiration from the CAS Mix Up Card Challenge where the compulsory elements this month are to include "Stamping and Smooching" on your card and for the "free element" I included some stitching and used a bit of modelling paste through a stencil.

It is the first birthday for the challenge .. .. and it doesn't seem two minutes since Loll and Bonnie announced it starting.  I love to play along when I can because it makes you think a little differently, and there are always lots of links for learning the technique of the month.  Well worth checking out if you haven't yet played along.

Here is my creation for this month:

This used:

Image:  Lavinia Stamps "Zen Butterfly"

Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Sweetheart Script"

Colourcraft Brusho Set (Sorry but I can't tell you what my Brusho colours were.  I got a little carried away and ended up with a sprinkling of quite a few before I spritzed them and "smooched" my card through them). 

Tim Holtz Stencil:  "THS023" Woodgrain 

Winsor & Newton:  Modelling Paste

Nestabilities:  Classic Circles and Scalloped Circles 

Die'sire Dies:  Scalloped Tags

ProMarkers

Ribbon and a button from my crafty stash box

Crystal Glamour Dust

Glossy Accents

My Trusty Sewing Machine

.. .. and that is crafty me for today.

Take care and hopefully I will be around tomorrow with another creation.

TEENY TINY TUESDAY

Hi Everyone

Happy Tuesday!

I hope your day went well.

I actually got washing on the line for the first time this year .. .. it will be lovely to have laundry that smells of fresh air again!

As promised here I am with one of my teeny, tiny creations (3.5 x 3.5 inches square for those of you who are new to my blog).

A while ago Lili Of The Valley had a fabulous offer on their digi images so I indulged in readiness for when I would have time to use them .. .. and the great thing about digi images is that you can re-size them.  So I have squeezed this little mouse down to fit on one of my little makes.  He didn't squeak so I don't think it hurt.

This used:

Digital Image:  Lili of the Valley "Three Kind Mice" (a set of three images)

Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Dragonflight Pro"

Backing Papers: Wild Rose Studio "Wintry Christmas"

ProMarkers

My Trusty Sewing Machine

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

So there we go.  

Take care everyone and have a lovely rest of today.

WAKEY, WAKEY LITTLE BLOG

Hi Everyone

Happy Monday!  

I hope all is well with everyone and life is being kind .. .. if not then I send you tight squeezy hugs and hope that things improve very, very soon.

Life here has been as busy and exciting as ever, with plenty to keep me out of mischief.  I certainly don't need to shake myself back into action .. .. just my blog!!

As well as lots of wedding and magazine work I have also been attempting to re-organise things a little ahead of the annual stock take that will soon be needed.  My accountant tries to throw some brightness on it by saying "you never know, you might find something you forgot you had" . .. . but nah! I know exactly what I have .. .. I just can't always remember what home it was given in the last round of re-organisation LOL!!

It has been all systems go on the wedding front with new couples signing up to be on my "happy couples" list, but as I am now waiting for deliveries, and information from happy couples, I am going to take the opportunity to knuckle down and get a stack of general cards made .. .. so all being well I will have some creations to share with you at long last!

For today though I thought I would share some pictures of work I completed for the current issue of Quick Cards Made Easy Magazine (Issue 163) which is now on the shelves.

I was happy to be asked to work on a couple of commissions .. .. this first one being part of a set showing ways of using die cut borders:

and another entitled "Jewel Effects".  This one used something quite new to me .. .. Nuvo Jewel Drops and these were great fun to try.

So there we go .. .. at last I have woken up my little blog .. .. and tomorrow I will be around with a Teeny Tiny Tuesday creation.

Have a lovely evening everyone.