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.

Saturday 30 June 2012

NEW BABY CARD 5 OF 5

Hi Everyone

I hope your Saturday has been a good one.

Mine has flown by and part of it involved the collection of the final part of a wedding stationery order (including the post box I made the other day).  This now means we can actually see the top of some of our furniture in the dining room.  Wow!!  (Not for long though .. .. I shall be covering it all with something else tomorrow  LOL!!).

Being busy has made for a bit of a rush baby make today .. .. but I still love it.  I love any new baby card really.

So here it is





This used:

Image and Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Paper:  Dovecraft "Back to Basics" (I think - it has lost it's front page)
ProMarkers
Ribbon, Pearls and Eyelets from the Stash Box

So that is me for today.

I'll hopefully catch you again tomorrow .. .. time and "must do" list permitting.

Love

Friday 29 June 2012

NEW BABY CARD 4 OF 5

Yay!!!!

Managed to make something to share today .. .. but only just!!!  LOL!!!

Life is a blur and a rush but oh so very exciting.

I am in the middle of quite a busy spell at the moment and am hoping to work through it without having another blog break . .. .. but if I have to then I have to.  We shall just have to see how it goes.

Card number 4 in my series of 5 just has to use my favourite Penny Black baby stamp .. .. I love this one so much.




This used:

Image:  Penny Black "2073J" Baby Hammock
Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Pinking Shears
ProMarkers
Ribbon, thread, button and charm from the Stash Box

I have had quite a few emails and comments about "My Trusty Sewing Machine" and how come I can sew in straight lines .. .. LOL!!!  That doesn't always happen if you look closely LOL!!

So I thought you might like to be introduced to my little playmate who I would never, ever part with.  He never gets put away!!


This little beauty has been with me for over 30 years and was a very special Christmas present from my lovely hubby.   It wasn't cheap at the time but as with all things you get what you pay for.

But having said that it has earned it keep many times over as it has been used to make so many clothes for hubby, me, the kids and even customers in the days when I was at home with the boys.

Can you believe I made a fully lined and tailored three piece suit for my hubby once upon a time with the help of my Auntie who is a tailoress?

Do I sew clothes now?  Nah .. .. just cards LOL!!!  (But the roof space does have fabric in it just in case I get the urge LOL!!)

So now you have met my machine, heard of all the years I have had it, and how much I have done with it you will realise that the secret is just lots of use .. .. ..  along with a very useful foot that is attached to it


Can you see the little lines on the foot?   I use these as guides and line them up to the edge of my card.

Hope you liked meeting my special playmate.

I'll catch you all again soon .. .. and hopefully at some stage over the next week I will catch up with all your lovely blogs.  So sorry I am a rubbish blog buddy at the moment :-(

Love

Thursday 28 June 2012

NO BABIES TONIGHT!!

Hi Everyone

Sorry peeps .. .. I have ran out of time today so no baby card from me tonight .. .. it has been a day of lovely wedding work and happy couples and nothing more!!  (Well except for torrential rain, thunder and lightening and roads like rivers .. .. and guess who was out in it!!).

At one point it was so dark it was like I was driving at night and it was only 11.00am.  The drains just couldn't handle all the water so it was bubbling up in the roads like mini fountains!!!

Boy was I glad to get home.  But I still needed to sit in the car for 10 minutes before the rain subsided enough to only get me half drenched on the mad dash to the front door!!!

Right back to it.  Still got things to do.

Busy, busy, busy with July bride makes!!

Catch you again as soon as I can .. .. .. and I apologise now for my lack of blog visiting.  I need a few more hours in my day please if anyone has any to spare!!

Have a good evening.

Love

Wednesday 27 June 2012

NEW BABY CARD 3 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Hope you have all had a good day .. .. and if not that tomorrow is much, much better for you!!!

I have been cooking on gas today and am well pleased with my achievements of the day (not something you will hear said very often in the House of Hearts as I am a tough taskmaster and give myself ridiculous goals each day .. .. written down too so I don't forget any LOL!!).

Anyway, on to today's share .. .. which is card three in my series of baby cards :





This used:

Image and Sentiment:  Butterfly Kisses Around-2-It Stamps "A2C1015" Hello Baby!
Backing Papers:  Polka Dot Cardstock from local craft store (not named)
Nestabilities:  Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
My Trust Sewing Machine
ProMarkers
Lace from the lovely lady at our local market
There is also a touch of Glamour Dust on the word "Welcome" but I don't think you can tell on the photographs.

and that is card no. 3 .. .. I hope you likey, likey.

Just a funny share before I leave you.

Hubby and I were having a little sit down ahead of bedtime last night and was catching up on a little bit of Coronation Street that we had recorded.  One of the scenes was in the newspaper cabin and there was a lovely shot of the card display .. .. and if you are anything like me you are always drawn to them and scan your eyes over everything on show.

Well what did I see?

A CHRISTMAS CARD FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL!!!

I even had to get hubby to rewind a little to check I was reading it right .. .. and yes I was!

Now the programme we were watching wasn't ages old .. .. possibly a week .. .. so this means it is official .. .. Christmas is on its way .. .. get those Christmas cards made LOL!!!

As for my post box of yesterday .. .. sorry I can't share a picture of that one as it is a special one for an order.  But I have enjoyed making it so much that I am going to make another to take to the next wedding fayre I am doing in October.  So I will post that one for you to see when I have made it.

Have a lovely evening everyone and I'll catch you with card number 4 tomorrow.

Love

Tuesday 26 June 2012

NEW BABY CARD 2 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Another day nearly done and dusted!!

I have spent some of today decorating a post box for a "happy couple" that will be having their special day soon!!  Awwww!!!

A different style to what I have decorated before and it involved me having to cut a hole for posting cards and good wishes through.  I have been dreading cutting this hole since I took delivery of the box .. .. but why I have no idea.  Silly me!

New scalpel in hand and lots of measuring and marking and all was good.   Phew!!!

The post box isn't for sharing of course but my baby card for the day is:





This used:

Image:  Stampendous! "XXD003" Baby's Bath
Sentiment:  Stampendous!  "F181" Babies Touch
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat
Nestabilities:  Circles and Scalloped Circles
My Trusty Sewing Machine
ProMarkers and Chalk
Ribbon, shaped eyelets and pearls from the Stash Box

I have had these little shaped eyelets for ages and love them to bits .. .. but have finally decided they need to be used.  It isn't as if there aren't loads of them and in lots of different shapes too!! LOL!!

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Off to do a bit more to the post box now.

Love

Monday 25 June 2012

NEW BABY THEME 1 OF 5

Hi Everyone

I hope your day has been good.

I decided on my theme for this week .. .. new babies .. .. another favourite make of mine.

Not sure why people say "new baby" though because I have never known anyone have an "old baby".  LOL!!!

It is a busy old week in the House of Hearts this week (just for a change) so quick posts from me this week. If I was organised I suppose I would have a week's worth scheduled .. .. but sadly I haven't had chance to do that.

Anyway, here we go with 1 of 5 on the baby front .. .. 




This used:

Image:  Digistamp Boutique "Baby Dan" .. .. isn't he a cutie?!?!?
Sentiment:  Computer Generated using font "Arial Narrow"
Backing Papers:  DCWV "Nana's Nursery" Baby Boy
ProMarkers and Chalk
My Trust Sewing Machine
X-Cut Corner Rounder Punch
Josy Rose:  Nail Heads
Ribbon from the Stash Box

I am also going to enter this into the Digistamp Boutique Challenge for June

So the football didn't quite go to plan did it yesterday!!  Never mind!!  Hubby is used to supporting teams that don't win so he wasn't too heartbroken.  Tee hee!!!

Have a lovely evening everyone.  I'll catch you again soon.

Need to go and get ready for a lovely "happy couple".

Love

Sunday 24 June 2012

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

I hope your Sunday is going well.

I was asked this morning if we could have "an early dinner today".  Normally we don't eat until early evening.

I replied "Yes, if you want" and then the penny dropped.  It will be football tonight .. .. and what an inconvenience my normal routine would be to that LOL!!!

So the oven is working its magic and I have had a quick play with my snippets so I could join the lovely playmates that are to be found at Pixie's Crafty Snippet Playground .

There was only one image that could be used today .. .. ..





As always on a Sunday no recipe as to what I have used.  Just pure laziness on my part of course .. .. but that is what Sunday's are for!!

If there is anything you want to know though then please just ask away.

I still haven't decided on my theme for next week yet .. .. I have a few ideas buzzing round my head and some that were suggested by blog buddies on my blog and by email .. .. but tomorrow with be 1 of 5 of some theme or another LOL!!

OK .. .. time to go and whip up some Yorkshire Pud next so we are organised ahead of the match .. .. .. 

COME ON ENGLAND  !!!!!!



Enjoy what is left of your weekend and I hope next week is a good one for you.

Love

Saturday 23 June 2012

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES 5 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Rushing through tonight as we have friends coming this evening .. .. and as usual I am nowhere near ready .. .. eeekkk!!!

All I can say is thank goodness I'm not supposed to be cooking a meal or else we would all starve!!

So here is the last in my theme of the week which has been Weddings and Anniversaries.  This one would do for either I suppose really.  





This used:

Image:  Stampendous "XXH005" Glasgow Cheers
Nestabilities:  Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle
Scor-Pal for making the background card
My Trusty Sewing Machine
ProMarkers
Glamour Dust
Everything else from the Stash Box

We nipped into the market this morning and I just couldn't resist buying a little of the gorgeous floral ribbon I have used here.  Love the colours.

So that is my theme for this week is over.  I am quite enjoying having themes .. .. and will have a ponder as to what the coming week can be .. .. unless you have any suggestions.

I'll be back tomorrow with my snippet make .. .. but for now I think I had better pull my finger out and get ready for our visitors.

Thank you to those of you who let me know the name of the stamp I used yesterday.  I will have to write it on the wooden block ready for the next time I use it.

Have a good evening everyone.

Love

Friday 22 June 2012

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES 4 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Friday is here .. .. .. woo hoo!!!

I hope everyone has had a good week.

Lots crossed off my "do list" this week .. .. but lots added to it too!!  All exciting stuff though that fills my days beautifully.

Anyway, here is my 4 of 5 for my theme of the week.





This used:

Image:  Magenta (it is a wooden stamp with no name .. .. just a number written in pencil "40217 K")
Sentiment:  Personal Impressions "Everyday Words Happy Birthday"
Backing Paper:  Raspberry Road "Beach Bliss"
Martha Stewart Punch:  Traditional Scallop
Diamond Stickles
Pearls and Ribbon from the Stash Box

I spent a good bit of the afternoon with my Mum today.  I took some wedding work with me to do whilst we  chatted.

I think I should have started this wedding malarky some 20 years ago .. .. Mum would have loved to have joined in I'm sure .. .. but she can't be bothered now.  I can tell she thinks it is all a bit much .. .. but at nearly 82 I think that is allowed!!  (She would much rather play her 3D  DS).

She will ask what I am working on and look at a sample and pass comment .. .. then she will ask how many I need to make.  It doesn't matter whether I say 20, 50 or 100 - she just gives me a look of exhaustion at the thought of making them!!  LOL!!  Bless her.

Have a good weekend everyone.  I hope you find some crafty time.

I will be back with the last of my Weddings & Anniversary makes tomorrow .. .. not sure what it will be yet though !!

Love

Thursday 21 June 2012

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES 3 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Well my internet seems to be behaving so I am going to post now .. .. just in case it goes AWOL again!!! LOL!!

Today's share is the third in my wedding and anniversary theme and is a wedding card.





This used:

Image and Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat "Happily Ever After" .. .. (not sure if this is still available)
Backing Paper:  Pink Petticoat "Perfect Papers"
Nestabilities:  Grand Rectangles
Glamour Dust
ProMarkers
Ribbon, Button, Pearls and Gems from the Stash Box

The ribbon I used is some of that magic ribbon that has a thread running through it so that it can be pulled and gathered up to make a sort of ribbon flower.  I am hoping to find some that is super thin as I think it looks really lovely .. .. ..  and a super fine version of it would be brilliant.

I have been listening to the radio whilst working and have been hearing of another proposed re-vamp of the education/examination system.  I do feel sorry for teachers .. .. I am sure they don't know whether they are coming or going half of the time from a procedural point of view .. .. let alone having to deal with kids too!!! 

But after an experience I had earlier this week I am sure things are going wrong somewhere.  

I bought goods that totalled £4.50 and gave the assistant £10.50 to pay for them as I wanted a £1 coin in my change.

The assistant gave me my change .. .. .. £6.50 !!

I offered the extra 50p back saying "I think this is yours".

The assistant replied with a confused look on her face "Is it? Yes, I think it is isn't it?  I'm not sure.  Don't worry your receipt will be printed off in a minute and that will tell us".

Excuse me but I didn't need a till receipt to tell me .. .. my peanut sized brain had managed to work it out already .. .. all on its own! LOL!!

Did I get a "thank you" once the assistant had decided it wasn't mine .. .. .. .. nah!!!!

OK .. . .back to work for me.  Invitation inserts next.

Have a great rest of Thursday.

Love

Wednesday 20 June 2012

INTERNET PROBLEMS

Hi Everyone

Sorry  ... not been able to post until now.

I have had no internet connection all day.  

I tried all the technical stuff like unplugging cables and blowing in the holes but still it wouldn't work.  LOL!!!

Thankfully my emails come through on my phone but it was impossible to post from it.  The screen is just far too small and fiddly to use.

Anyway, hubby came home and tried all the usual remedies but ended up calling our internet provider helpline and they were able to look at the activity and could see where it had been "dropping out" all day.

Eventually with their help we found the problem was a "filter thing" and luckily hubby had a spare in the roofspace!  

So today's share has been delayed until tomorrow .. .. .. .. when hopefully all will be working again as it should.

I hope everyone had a good day and I'll catch you tomorrow.

Love

Tuesday 19 June 2012

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES 2 OF 5

Hi Everyone

Sorry I am late .. .. it has been one of those days where I have chased my tail all day.

But I am pleased with what I have achieved so that's good.

My share today is number 2 in my weddings and anniversary makes .. .. and this one could do for either really.




This used:

Card Base:  Cut from Sizzix Die "Scallop #3"
Backing papers:  GCD Studios "Ella Blue"
Sentiment:  Hampton Art "10 - Love Is In The Air"
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Ribbons, Charm, Pearls and Gems from the Stash Box
Not sure who made the butterfly punch .. .. will have to investigate further.

I have had the Sizzix Die for the card base for quite a while now .. .. I bought it cheap a while ago but have never been able to find any envelopes that fit nicely.

But now I have my Scor-Pal there is no excuse .. .. it only takes a few minutes to make an envelope and you can do it with matching paper which is nice.  (Though I won't be wasting my Ella Blue papers on envelopes that's for sure!! LOL!!).

Well I hope you like it and feel it was worth waiting for.

Hubby is watching football at the moment and is well happy with how things are going .. .. come on England!!!

Catch you tomorrow

Love

Monday 18 June 2012

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES 1 OF 5

Hi Everyone

I hope Monday has been kind to you and that you have had a good day.

Most people see Monday as the worst day of the week .. .. but I actually love Mondays as it means I have a whole week to make a difference!!

Monday always feels like a "fresh start" day.

I can hear you saying "That's alright for you .. .. you work from home" .. .. but I used to be the same when I went out to work too .. .. .. much to the annoyance of people I worked alongside LOL!!!

Anyway .. .. here starts my 5 day week of wedding and anniversary cards.

This one was done at the crack of dawn and in the post mid morning!!





This used:

Image:  Digistamp Boutique "Valentine Bird Collection"
Sentiment:  Computer generated using font "Scriptina"
Spiderweb Netting
My Trusting Sewing Machine
Glamour Dust
Gems

The spiderweb netting was stitched over some gorgeous red pearl card .. .. but as usual the camera never wants to pick out the bits you particularly like does it.

So for saying I made my card so early you would have thought I could have posted early .. .. but no .. .. table plan planning and table numbers have been the order of the day ready for a happy couple coming tomorrow evening.

Plus a few things off the list today .. .. can't be bad!

Have a lovely evening everyone and I'll catch you at some stage tomorrow with number 2 of 5 in this little mini series.

Love

Sunday 17 June 2012

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

Happy Father's Day to all those hard working Dad's out there (and the lazy ones too .. .. laziness is allowed today as it is Sunday "and" your special day LOL!!)

My day has flown by yet again but I made time to play along with Di's Crafty Snippet Challenge No. 25 .. .. gosh .. Di has been the keeper of the keys for nearly half a year!!!  Where did that time go?!?!  

The playground is super busy nowadays and so much fun thanks to Di and her hard work and wicked sense of humour.  If you get chance to play along sometime it is a great way to use up those leftover snippets from other creations (you know the offcuts we push to one side as we excitedly cut into a fresh piece of card or design paper).

Here is my offering for this week:




As you know I make the most of Sundays and am super lazy .. .. so no recipe list .. .. but if you want to know anything just shout and I will try my best to help.

I am setting myself a theme for this coming week as there is a need  for wedding cards and anniversary cards .. .. so that is what I will be showing on my blog for the next 5 postings.

Have a lovely rest of Sunday everyone.  It is now time for me to get in that kitchen and get cracking with the evening meal.

Love