oooohhhhhh hurry up please...

Good morning everyone are you like me and desperate for the spring to pop its head up...I sssssooooo wish it would hurry up, I cant wait for the sun to shine, the new green grass to start and flowers to pop their little green shoots up...can you tell by all the spring/summer cards that are popping up on my blog lol...I think Phil's mind is on the same wavelength too as hes been looking at flower seeds, planning where pots will go on the deck and looking at greenhouse's...he used to grow the most amazing tomato's and I would pop into the greenhouse pick them and make a garlic, tomato and basil pasta sauce for dinner...it was sssssoooo scrummy with warm hothouse tomato's freshly picked the taste is so fresh its unreal...of course that was before he worked away for 11 years but now hes home we can get them again....ooooohhhh cant wait... I think I will start saving and buy him a lush big greenhouse for our anniversary in March, but ssssshhhhhh not a word to him wont it make a brilliant surprise for him...all this talk of spring is all the fault of the fabulous Jane from Janey's Digi Designs...this amazing Icelandic Poppy digi made me look poppies up on the internet and all those stunning flowers made me wish...I coloured it with my usual distress inks and teamed it up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...this pad is so stunning...everything I used to finish the card are from the same pad, I even cut the butterflies from a sheet of it too...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Joanna Sheen Challenge too...today is supermarket day with my lovely Dad and of course you know what that means...yep put the world to rights coffee time too...I love my chatty coffee breaks with my Dad hes a great talker...whatever your up to today maybe if we all wish hard enough together Spring will come just a teeny bit faster...so all together now....wish

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

stem - shabby shutters

petals - stormy sky, tumbled glass

centre - scattered straw

edges distressed with antique linen

a touch of love...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...its has been pouring from the heavens here for about five days, I think the apocalypse is creeping up on us don't you lol...with today's card my mind has been wondering about Valentines day I did a bit of research about it and found out the history of it is shrouded in myths and mysteries...if you want to read about it click here for some info...do you celebrate Valentines?, we don't usually as my darling Phil is the best Husband ever but doesn't have a romantic bone in his body bless him, but I really don't mind as he makes up for it everyday by just being there and being him...anyway it shouldn't be just one day that you show you love each other should it...I will give you an example of non romantic Phil...when we were first married I made everything for one valentines...I made a cake covered in hearts made loads of cut out heart confetti, you name it I did it...Phil came in from work enjoyed his specially cooked dinner and cake admired all the decorations etc then said 'lovely but what's all this about then?' lol...I think that's the last time I did it...right now onto my card for today and you will never guess what it is lol...yes Valentines card of course...how cute is this Wild Rose Studio - Bella's Valentine sweetie...perfect for any card to show you love someone...I coloured it with distress inks as always and teamed it up with these lush papers from the Wild Rose Studio 6 x 6 Paper Pack - Always and Forever pack...they are so so pretty aren't they...I finished my card with some pretty pink gingham ribbon, a tiny heart charm from the Set of 6 Heart Charms and some lush Mini Open Roses - Pink everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin challenge and Crafting When We Can challenge too...I'm having a nice snug warm crafting day today and I think I will make a cake too...I'm in the mood for a bit of Victoria sandwich sponge yum yum...whatever your up to have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

elephant - pumice stone, spun sugar

shading, hearts and ribbon - barn door, spun sugar, victorian velvet

nothing beats A&E at dinner time...

Good morning everyone, are you all well, theres loads of bugs going around so keep yourselves healthy...well we didn't have the best evening....Phil has been complaining of a painful hand for a few days but when he came in from work it was so painful and swollen I managed to persuade (I think bully is more like it though lol) him into going to A&E just to be on the safe side, he has something that is usually associated with parents...its kind of a repetitive injury they usually get from picking children up, he isn't picking me up honestly lol....good news is it will fine bad news it will probably be there always...just Ibuprofen for the pain is all...phew I had visions of him in plaster or needed his tendon operated on or something more horrific...Phil is never ever ill or has anything wrong with him, so much so that I kinda panic when there is something wrong with him...goodness knows how I would be if something serious happened, I couldn't bear even thinking about it...its strange how we think of the people we love always being there and never changing...scary too...right now my card for today which is using another of the stunningly beautiful Vintage Adorable's from Sugar Nellie...this is the gorgeous Alicia...I love colouring these cuties...I used my usual distress inks and one of the new papers I bought on a quick trip to buy card at my local craft shop (oops couldn't resist just a few pretty papers)...this one is from Fancy Pants Designs Time Spring collection and is called Sugar & Cream...gorgeous isn't it...I finished my card with a couple of pieces of pink gingham ribbon behind a Prima flower and a couple of coloured buttons...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off out today and might even do a bit of shopping would you believe I still haven't spent my gift cards from Christmas yet...so a trip to Next might be on the cards too...big question is the Woman's clothes or Home dept...oooohhhhh decisions decisions lol...whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antqiue linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antque linen

eyes - mix of shabby shutters & peeled paint

top - antique linen, tumbled glass, shabby shutters, frayed burlap

scattered straw, barn door,

flowers and pearls - spun sugar, tumbled glass

barn door, spun sugar, scattered straw

babe with a kiss...

Good afternoon everyone I hope you all had a fantastic weekend...I'm like the cows tail today...always behind...running around trying to get things done but I seem to be going two steps forward one back...ever had days like that?...we had a lush lunch yesterday and then all sat round a blazing fire chatting and laughing, I love family Sundays, they don't happen enough though other things always seem to get in the way...I was looking at my Dad yesterday hes looking really well for someone just coming up to his 80th birthday, he has such a cheeky grin and a real glint in his eye at times and he always makes me laugh...love him to bits just in case you hadn't noticed lol...right now onto today's card...how fab is Amy, shes from MayzyArt...of course I didn't just buy her though I had to buy another one...well its the digi stamp law isn't it lol...I coloured Amy with distress inks and paper pieced her beautiful dress, I was going to say I would love a dress like that but truth is I wish I could wear a dress like that...oh and of course those lush spotty shoes too...the fabulous papers I used are from the Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love this lush lush pad...I finished with some sparkly sticky letters for the sentiment and a couple of organza ribbons...the fabulous sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the One Stitch at a Time challenge too...quick post today as I must try and catch up without meeting myself in the hall...whatever your up to have a brilliant day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

eyes and earrings - crushed olive

shoes - tumbled glass, crushed olive, scattered straw

bow - tumbled glass

BIRTHDAY CANDY, CANDY, CANDY TIME...

Good morning everyone...are you all having a fabulous weekend...ours has been really quiet...the only thing we did yesterday was to go shopping for food for today's lunch...the whole family are coming for the Sunday lunch works...roast beef, yorkshire puds, mash and roast spuds, carrot's, sprouts and cauliflower and our world famous gravy (well I have mentioned on here its a food group on its own so that technically makes it world famous lol)...I love family Sunday lunches...we also went to get my lovely Dad a new vacuum cleaner as his twenty year old one has finally given up the ghost...now here's a tale of never send two men to do what one woman can...when we got it out of the box the front wasn't attached and no matter how hard they tried they couldn't get it connected...short tempers I reckon, they were getting frustrated at it...of course it doesn't help when I walk over and with a couple of clicks get it attached does it lol...right now its candy time again...I meant to do this last Sunday as its for my Birthday but its better late than never...who fancies a shopping trip to Bunny Zoe's Crafts the?

my candy is a £10 gift certificate to Bunny Zoe's Crafts so you can buy what you want...so what do you need to do then?

you must be a follower to join in and, now as much as I love my followers to bits...please don't be a candy follower...follow because you want to come back

leave me a link in the Mr Linky AND post a comment

post the picture and spread the word on your blog (sidebar is fine)

this is open worldwide and is open until the midnight (GMT) on the10th February

Good luck everyone you will love spending at Bunny Zoe's

enjoy the rest of your weekend and whatever you up to have fun

Mina xxx

you cant beat a good cry...

Good morning everyone well its a bit warmer here and yah we have heat at last...it was like a tropical beach in here last night lol...its it weird how many things you take for granted...but at least we are toasty warm now...well its my day to show you some things I have found over the last few weeks to hopefully inspire, make you laugh and maybe even a few tears...my first link is one of those sites you could stay on all day long...so tea and cake needed for a visit

there is a bit of everything on this site...homes, crafting, recipes and loads loads more so enjoy...my next isn't a link but a photo...its one of those photos that shouldn't be funny but so are

this red tailed hawk was found like this in Long Beach, California...the hungry bird had gobbled down a whole coot and then lay like this in a stupor...look at the look on its face lol...don't worry though it was rescued and set free the next day after it had 'recovered' from its huge meal...aaaaahhhh the perils of greed lol

the last one I have to apologise for as its a guarantee to make you bubble like a baby...so touching and full of love and you cant beat a good cry can you

BRIDAL DANCE

while your there have a mooch through Godvine if you have time, dont worry its not just for religious people but there is loads on there to keep you entertained for hours and hours and hours and hours, stuff to make you laugh, be astonished and cry if you fancy a blub...I go on there quite often for a little mooch around well I hope you enjoy my links today and enjoy your surf...oh and don't forget the coffee/tea and cake

Mina xxx

now thats clever...

Good morning everyone are you all well and did you have a good week?...we still have chattering teeth here with no heat yet but hopefully it will be going and there will be a heatwave before this evening...I didn't hang around yesterday though, we headed out for a put the world to rights coffee, shows where my head is though as I went out without my glasses, I can see hardly anything without them...we couldn't make a whole person between us could we...imagine me not being able to see a things crashing into things and not even able to see which button was latte on the coffee machine and my poor Dad with his crutches...I'm sure people wondered how I was helping him lol...how on earth I forgot my glasses I will never know as I hardly have them off...what a scatterbrain, when I got home I realised I had forgotten to take this photo for today so headed to the craftroom only to be told by my camera every time I took one that it had 'detected a blink', now how clever is that? I never knew I could bring my coloured images to life and they would blink when I'm photographing them...I eventually after 5 tries to take some though and that brings me onto my card for today which is using another of the stunningly gorgeous Vintage Adorable's from Sugar Nellie, this is the beautiful Annabel...I love every single one of these they are amazing to colour, I mean just look at that hair...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and one more of my new pads...these stunning papers are from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...have you noticed every one of the new pads has the same colours in them somewhere...green, yellow & blue...I must have been in a spring mode when I bought them mustn't I...I finished with a tag from the same pad and a gorgeously coloured organza ribbon bow...the fab sketch is from the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Top Tip Tuesday challenge and Papertake Weekly challenge too...I'm off to wrap myself up in a couple of throws and wear six pairs of six until the heating is on...I think a hot water snuggling day is called for don't you...whatever your up to today have a lovely warm one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - mixture of antique linen, frayed burlap

ribbon - shabby shutters, antique linen

eyes - stormy sky

top - mixture of stormy sky, tumbled glass

p.s. heres a link for a huge 15% off Magnolia stamps, paper & Dies sale at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...pop on over quickly to grab a bargain or two

 

just click on the image to go there

xxx

 

Please...

Good morning everyone...I hope your all well...do you believe in Karma?, you know what happens when you have a rant about people attitude to the weather?, well it jumps up and bites you on the butt lol...our heating has broken down aaaarrrggggghhhhh so I'm sitting her shivering and am cold to the core, do you know what I mean...you know when you get so cold you feel bone cold?...of course we have the open fire but that only heats one room so be very careful what you say because karma jumps up gives you a shake and slap you twice across the face lol... I sense someone with their thumbs in their ears wiggling their fingers saying na na na na na lol...so I have spent the morning running around and trying to get someone to fix it, but of course everyones heating has broken down at the same time...well fingers crossed it wont be off long...right my card for today...how adorable is this little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil...shes called Please, now who could not give her what she wanted lol...I coloured her with distress inks and used some lush new papers from the Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts (see I told you I bought a LOT of new pads didn't I)...I finished with a lush wired Organza ribbon bow and a few buttons from my stash (how cute is the cat one in the middle)...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for The Paper Shelter challenge and the Digi Stamp 4 Joy challenge too...sorry short post today as I'm off to get ready to go out, I'm certainly not sitting in here freezing my buns off, its colder inside that out I think...whatever your up to today watch out karma's about lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - tumbled glass

outfit - pumice stone, scattered straw, black soot. stormy sky

violet eyes?...

Good morning everyone are you all managing to keep your tootsies from dropping off?...it is so cold isn't it...I had a lazy day yesterday, well except for realising I hadn't clicked my post that is lol...so I did a little bit of colouring and printed off loads of stuff that I had meant to do over the last couple of weeks...it takes ages to catch up after the Christmas holidays doesn't it, it sort of lulls you into a false sense of being organised when really it just puts things off for a while then they all catch up with you and are hiding waiting to jump on you...plus January always seems such a long long month I think it seems like a five week month don't you...so the point of that ramble was that I'm finally managing to get caught up with my crafting, not quite there but hurtling towards the catch up line at full speed...I have been watching the news the last few days and I have never seen such a fuss about some snow, I mean shock horror snow in January, what next Christmas day on December the 25th lol...seriously its winter, its Britain so it hardly sneak up on you does it and for a country that has the same weather year after year a tiny bit of snow seems to bring everything to a standstill...I don't mean the places where they have a 30/60cms of course but here there was 2cm of snow and then an electricity breakdown which lasted for days...come on guys get your act together and get those poor people some power its only a bit of snow you know...ok rant over lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge...this time our theme is Vintage, I'm never quite sure the difference between vintage and shabby chic are you, if you do let me know please...I think I managed a vintage card though with the help of this stunning Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts and Me, this is the stunning Butterflies of Hope...isn't that hair amazing and do you like her eyes...I think Elizabeth Taylor had violet eyes didn't she, so I thought why not her...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with some stunning papers from the Prima Fairy Belle collection-6x6 paper pad...I used very little else for my card as I didn't want to cover up this lush paper too much...I finished with a huge Organza bow and a few scattered pearls in different colours...the pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm...I'm entering this for the Stampin' for The Weekend challenge, Challenges 4 Everybody challenge and the Kaboodle Doodles challenge too...I need to go out today as we need something for dinner and we are definitely overdue a put the world to rights coffee too...whatever your up to have a fab day and watch out for those electricity busting snowflakes

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

lips - victorian velvet

eyes - mixture of seedles preserves & milled lavender

butterflies - spun sugar, milled lavender

hair - pumice stone

oopsie...

Oops I will start again as I scheduled this post last night because I had to pop out early this morning and oops guess what I didn't do, I forgot to click the publish button didn't I lol...so start again Mina duh lol...I hope your all well and having fun in the snow (yeah right) I think its only the children who like snow for this long isn't it...I needed some flowers and summer colours I think...I sssssooooo long for warmer weather and always feel like I'm hibernating in the depth of winter, I think it has something to do with lack of light don't you...how cute is this image then...but its really not one but two...my lovely friend Jane asked me to join her DT for her fabulous new Garden Stamps...she is an amazing gardener (check out her garden site) and found inspiration to draw the flowers and plants from her garden...of course when I saw them I jumped at the chance to colour them as I love flowers so much too...so I'm now a member of the Janey's Digi Designs team as you can see from the DT badge below...instead of using this fab Janey's Designs Dropwort image alone though I used The Larakins from A&T digital designs with it and then finished with a wordart sentiment too...I coloured them with my usual distress inks and teamed them up with the lush summer papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Now and Then pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, stunning isn't it, I cut some of the graph paper from the same pad to look like washi tape too...I finished with a fabulously coloured satin ribbon bow and a few scattered pearls...the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and The Crafty Bloggers Network challenge too...well hopefully it will be normal service resumed tomorrow if I can get my act together lol...whatever your up to today have a lovely warm one

Mina xxx

click on the DT banner below to go our fab DT's blog to see what all the rest of the team are up to

my first try at light ink colouring...

Good morning everyone, thank you all so much for your birthday wishes they meant a lot to me and I enjoyed reading them so much too I will catch up with you all this week to thank you in person...great dinner last night the chicken it was fab but...major cheesecake disaster...the cream cheese I bought was a slimline one and I didn't notice, so with the higher milk instead of fat content meant my cheesecake mix didn't set in time...so a rethink was needed, it tasted great and was like thick whisked cream in texture so I chopped up the lush Oreo base to a thick crumb and served the cream mix with the crumb with grated chocolate and orange on it and wow it was delicious...so dessert disaster averted, isn't it amazing what we can come up with when we have too lol...our beautiful Daughter and her other half bought me a lush snood scarf in blue, its beautiful and jewellery and a pedicure set, Phil bought me two leather and fabric bound books for sketching and writing ideas in, they are so stunning I will take a photo and show you and he bought me new make up brushes (badly needed for a while) see we think men don't listen lol and my lovely Dad gave me cash to buy something I wanted...we had a lovely dinner and loads of giggling and conversations, so my Birthday was brilliant and couldn't have been more perfect...I got an email last week from someone asking about using distress inks to colour a lighter stamped image and if it would work, I hadn't a clue so thought well give a go girl...I stamped this stunningly cheeky little cherub in using the palest ink pad I had which was a Memento London Fog pad, I had to heat set it though as it isn't waterproof unless set and there you go distress inks work with it ok although I had to adjust the amounts I used and its still not perfect but as a first go not too bad...what do you think?...this stamp is from the brand new Magnolia With Love collection and is called Bonny Tilda (and its on sale atm too)...isn't it just so so cute and just a little bit cheeky lol...the paper is from Magnolia too and is the Red Romance 6x6" Paper I finished my card with two Heart Paper Frames (Doilies) - 10cm some Ruffle Rose - Red and Sonia Rose - Ivory flowers, a strip of lace and a ceramic sentiment...everything except the lace and sentiment are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts the fab sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fairytale Challenge and the Lovely Hanglar or Sweet Magnolia challenge too...I'm having a chilling colouring day today I want to try a few more images in the pale ink to see if I can improve my shading with them...whatever your up to today I hope its a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

BZ candy winner...

Oops I nearly forgot didn't I...just off to bed when I remembered this months winner for the

Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy

so drum roll please

the RNG thingy says its

No 60

.......................................

................................

.....................

...........

....

SONIA

who is from my favourite part of the world, Italy...massive congratulations Sonia, could you please email me with your postal address and I will pass it on to Nikki so you get your lush stamps asap

don't worry if you didn't win there is some lush new candy very very soon and there will be a new Bunny Zoe's candy next month too

sleep well

Mina xxx

something not quite right...

Good morning everyone...are you all having a fab weekend?...right now quick question for you all, does this seem right to you, today is my birthday and I'm making dinner for everyone tonight...now isn't it supposed to be me sitting doing nothing and being waited on not the other way round lol. theres something not quite right about that situation isn't there?...well all the white stuff disappeared by mid morning here yesterday but we still didn't head for the car boot sale, it was freezing cold and we really didn't want to walk around teeth chattering, it kinda puts you off bargain hunting doesn't it...instead we went shopping for our dinner tonight...I'm cooking Chicken cacciatore, garlic mash, green beans and orange cheesecake with an Oreo base for dessert...sounds good doesn't it, even if I do say so myself...well all I can say is they better make up for the lack of being waited on with some amazing gifts lol, I'm just joking though I'm more than happy with a family dinner and not really bothered about gifts...I thank my lucky stars that I have so many of my loved ones around me to share dinner with...right now onto my card for today which is using another winter stamp although I used it a bit differently...this stunning beauty is by Hannah Lynn and is called Whimsical Winter and its from Crafts and Me...I coloured her with distress inks, I tried to make her dress look like it was velvet but I don't know if I managed it or not...what do you think?...I used these stunningly coloured summery papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad aren't they just lush and they make you want to sit in the sun smelling flowers (the sentiment circle is from the same pad), I bought this from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a gorgeous coloured satin ribbon bow and a flower cut from the paper...I haven't a clue where the sketch is from I found it scribbled on a note pad...I am entering this for the Paper Crafting Journey challenge, Sweet 'n' Sassy digi challenge and the Card Crafters Circle challenge too...right I'm off to make my cheesecake as it take four hours to chill...oh before I go did you all like yesterdays post? should I do it every Saturday I would love to know what you think...wherever you are and whatever your up to today have a fun filled one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

dress - worn lipstick, spun sugar

fur trom - mix of shabby shutters, tumbled glass

eyes - shabby shutters

dogs - pumice stone, spun sugar, tumbled glass

and now for something totally different...

Good morning everyone...no card today but I have decided that once a week Im going to show you something completley different so you ave less chance of getting bored visiting me lol...Im going to show you a few lush places I have found inspiration, ideas or just something beautiful...what do you think? good idea?...well we finally got some of the white stuff and its so so pretty...bloody cold mind but beautiful, it defo put the brakes on our plans for this morning though...we had planned to go to a car boot sale but it is really freezing and I dont really do shopping in the snow outside...well not without ski gear on anyway lol...ok now onto my first link for you...

I have been a follower of How about Orange for ages and ages and have spent many hours surfing through the wonderful Jessica Jones blog...there is so many links, tutorials and info jammed packed on her pages...if your having a serious look, grab a coffee some cake or biscuits and settle down for a mega treat

my next site is an artist called George Ayers who also has a set of videos showing how he works on youtube...the link is here...I could watch George Ayers painting forever he is an amazing artist...he started as an Engineer and changed his path to art, hes self taught and had no formal training at all how fantastic is that...it gives me hope that one day I could maybe do something that would be even a fraction at talented as him (see I still have dreams of being an artist lol)...enjoy watching him work and link on his portraiture on his website to be even more astonished

well what do you think...good idea or a shot in the dark?...I wanted to show you something different and if you like it every Saturday I will do something different, show you a new image site or shop, a crafters blog I love or even maybe some hints or tips or some painting advice maybe...let me know what you would like to read about and I will do my best, or even if you just want me to do a card everyday please say so...Im off to toast my toes at the fire and decide if Im brave or daft enough to go out in the snow lol...whatever your up to I hope your keeping warm and enjoy your surfing

Mina xxx
p.s. today is the last day to enter my candy so click on the link at the top of the sidebar if you havent joined in already

a smudged sweater...

Good morning everyone...bbbbrrrrrr isnt it cold, but at least we don't have any white stuff yet thank goodness...we have had our fire roaring away for the last few days and I'm still shivering with cold...I think I need some thermal knickers if this weather continues lol...well I made it around the supermarket minus any steam escaping, in fact I didn't feel too bad and as our Daughter and her other half were coming to dinner I made soup and then baked a cake...I know how freaky and ok pick yourself up from your faint lol...see I can cook I just choose not too unless I really have too...if I was rich I would never cook again I dislike it so much...don't get me wrong I cook dinner for Phil every night for when he comes home from work but it doesn't stop me hate doing it...well all except Italian I enjoy making Italian food and I don't mind baking a cake or two when the mood takes me...is there anything about the daily grind that you hate (well except housework of course I think everyone hates the dreaded H don't they)...right now onto my card for today and I cant believe it but I smudged her sweater when I was colouring this beauty with my usual distress inks, so she has a nasty bruise on her neck the poor thing...this is the Beautiful Skier from The Paper Shelter...isn't she gorgeous, this is the first Paper Shelter image I have coloured and it defo wont be my last...I teamed her up with these lush papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Now and Then pad, this is such a lush pad...I seem to be on a bit of a yellow and blue theme atm lol...I finished my card with a huge two tone navy bow (maybe a little too big)...I bought the pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...btw the sentiment was already on the pad...I made the sketch up as I went along but Im entering this for the City Crafter challenge, Papertake Weekly challenge and the Paper Makeup Stamps challenge too...oh and btw Bunny Zoe's Crafts has an amazing massive 40% off Paper Sale atm...so hop on over to grab a bargain or three even...I'm heading into town today if I feel well enough I still have some gift cards from Christmas and thought I might treat myself to something new saying its my Birthday on Sunday...you never know something exciting might happen...I live in hope anyway lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and keep warm
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

jacket and trousers - shabby shutters, crushed olive

boots - pumcie stone, stormy sky

gloves, sweater and scarf - pumice stone, stormy sky

hat - pumice stone, shabby shutters

ski sticks - antique linen, shabby shutters

twilight zone....

Good morning everyone...did you all hum the theme tune when you read the title lol...it was like the twilight zone yesterday I lost a whole day so I guess I'm still not 100%, hence why the lack of card yesterday, I had one made and everything but spent the day lying around with steam coming of me...and no I don't own a sauna it was the return of the dreaded temperature lol...anyway welcome to this months Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams Blog Hop...you should have arrived here from the fabulous

DEBBIE'S

blog...if you didn't then pop on over to the fabulous Julie's blog...shes our host this month and she chose the theme of Embellishments (the more the merrier)...oh and don't forget to leave a comment on everyones blogs for a chance to win one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil too

I find it quite hard to use a lot of embellishments, I think its because I never know when to stop or where to put them lol...but I did my best...I used this stunning Gimme a Bee image for my card...isn't she so cute...I coloured her with distress inks and glittered her pom poms and the bee on her sweater...the amazing papers are from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I bought the pad and the stunning Sonia Rose - Ivory  (the roses on the bow) from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a few scattered black pearls, a sentiment from the same Kaisercraft pad and a huge yellow bow...I hope that's enough embellishments lol...your next stop on the hop is to the fab

POP'S

who I'm sure will have something stunning to show you

the fabulous sketch I used is from the Feeling Sketchy challenge and I'm also entering it for the By The Cute & Girly challenge and the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge too...Its supermarket day with my lovely Dad today, here's hoping I can get around without steam coming out of my ears lol...whatever your up to have a fabulous day and enjoy the rest of the hop...oh and don't forget your comments for a chance to win too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - balck soot (should have been a little darker I think)

sweater - shabby shutters, scattered straw

skirt - scattered straw, antique linen

socks and shading - pumice stone

shoes - stormy sky

pom poms - scattered straw, antique linen, stormy sky, pumice stone

its all about the eyes...

Good morning everyone how you all doing?...I hope you haven't got any of the nasty bugs that are going around...bbbbbrrrrrr its so cold here but at least we haven't got any of the dreaded white stuff, well yet anyway...poor Scotland and England seem to have got the worst of this time...so wherever you are I hope your managing to stay warm...well the whole family came for dinner last night and from 9 pies and the Victoria sandwich cake Phil made there are a very sad two small pies and a slice of cake left...what do you think?, are they keen on Phil's cooking or what lol...I love family dinner like that don't you...everyone in the kitchen wandering round while I cook and serve up and around the dinner table chatting about their day or joking about...the best times ever...I so wish though that my Dad could hear better because he misses a lot in the hubbub of the chatter but then no matter how hard we sisters try to persuade him I still cant get him to make an appointment and stick with it, he has cancelled or makes excuses not to make one, I know it must be hard for him but surely its easier than missing out on a lot of things...I'm sure that's why he avoids occasions where there a lot of people too...I will keep working on him though...right now my card for today which is using another of the amazing new Vintage Adorables release from Sugar Nellie...I am loving these sweeties to bits they are amazing to colour and I could sit colouring them in all different sizes over and over again...I think its their eyes, they are so real and soulful don't you think...this one is the beautiful Rachael and you can get her at Funky Kits of course...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with some papers from one of my new pads I bought last week from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...this one is the beautiful My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad aren't the colours lush...there's loads more new pads to show you over the next few weeks so watch out for them...I finished this one with a rich navy sating ribbon and bow and a few roses from my stash...the fab sketch is an old one from Mojo Monday but I'm entering this for the Card Makin Mamas challenge, the Crafty Bloggers Network challenge and the Digi Darla's challenge too...I'm off out today first time for a few days but I'm up for it today I need a mooch and some fresh air so fingers crossed the white stuff stays away...whatever your up to today I hope you stay warm, dry and above all healthy

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

eyes - mix of shabby shutters & stormy sky

haor ornaments and top - mix of shabby shutter & tumbled glass

well you have to celebrate dont you....

Good morning everyone I hope your all well it seems like ages since we had a chat doesn't it...well I'm loads better, still not 100% but then I wasn't before lol...phew that infection knocked me for six and I'm still feeling a bit like a wrung out dish cloth but at least I have picked up my paint brush and have started creating which is a massive leap in the right direction...Phil seemed to have a massive burst of energy yesterday and spent most of the day in the kitchen...now don't get me wrong I'm certainly not complaining I promise you...he made pies, savoury mince and potato, small and large, a Victoria sandwich cake and a Balti sauce ready just to add meat too, that's a massive yuck from me for the balti though, I'm definitely not a curry girl I'm more an italian girl...give me any pasta dish and I will love you for life, but the rest of the family loves Phil's curry sauce so he shares it around...the whole house was filled with the most amazing smells and walking around the kitchen each area had its own individual one...I will be forever grateful to my lovely MIL who made sure that Phil was an excellent cook, looked after himself and didn't depend on a woman for anything...mind I don't think we would be together if he wasn't one of those men do you lol....right now onto my card for today, its for our new monthly challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge...this month our challenge is an easy one, its Anything Goes...I chose this amazing fella...look at the face, just makes you wanna celebrate your birthday doesn't it lol...he's one of the new release from High hopes and is called High Hopes - Birthday Bob I coloured him with my usual distress inks and kept the colour pallet really simple to match these stunning Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Antique Aged Papers these papers are fantastic and really feel like old paper...I love them...I also used the High Hopes - Birthday Again (Sentiment) and a selection of buttons and a blue ribbon to finish...everything I used except the ribbon and buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...well the whole family are coming for dinner tonight (to enjoy Phils pie and cake) so I'm off to prep the veg and then maybe a little bit more colouring...have a fantastic day and if you have time pop on over to Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge to see the amazing work from the rest of our DT...have a good one

Mina xxx 

p.s. did you join in with the monthly Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy its on the post below this or click on the image in the sidebar

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair , cake, hat and sweater shading - pumice stone

blues are a mix of stormy sky & tumbled glass

candle rossettes - antique linen

flames - antique linen, victorian velvet

BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS MONTHLY CANDY...

Yoooohhhooo everyone, I hope your all well, healthy and having a fabulous weekend...see I told I would be back with Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy didnt I...and I had to drool at these beautiful

BILDMALARNA STAMPS

they are from the brand new release at Bunny Zoe's Crafts

so you get both the 

Bildmalarna - Happy Valentines Day (Text)

and the 

Bildmalarna - LWF-Valentine

 stamps as candy this month you lucky things...Im so jealous

ok so what do you need to do to win

well you need to be a follower (I will check btw) please

dont just be a candy follower though follow because you like my work

and will come back

then post a link and the photo above on your blog

(sidebar is fine)

and finally post your name and link into Mr Linky below

AND

leave me a comment

and thats it...its open to everyone and will close on Saturday 19th January

midnight GMT

good luck everyone

Mina xxx

A couple of days

 Hi everyone Im gonna take a couple of days to get over this infection fully then I will be back on Sunday with our brand new Bunny Zoe's Crafts Candy...so will speak to you all then when I will be hopefully 100% and raring to go...well thats the plan anyway lol

Mina xxx

p.s. I know its an infection and not a bug but I couldnt resist that sweet image lol

no one likes making these...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant start to the year, I seem to have spent most of it in a haze but at long long last I'm feeling a little bit better...I had a semi normal day yesterday...well I say semi normal I really mean there was no imaginary snow episodes anyway...still having problems with my temperature though...Phil must think its like living with a stripper...one minuet I'm bundled up in loads of layers because I'm freezing then my temperature breaks and off they come one by one...mind the way I look this week cant be that thrilling for him lol...remember a few days ago I said I make some 'stock' cards, the cards I will need for the year for occasions I rarely make cards for, well this is one of them, this could be either a bereavement card or thinking of you couldn't it...I think this amazing Graphic45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe paper pad is stunning, there something about these black, white and gold papers I used that lend themselves to a bereavement card...first I used one of the stamps from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Chanteuse set to stamp my frame in black then added an image from the pad and finished with punched butterflies with pearls at the tip, a black ribbon and bow, a beautiful gold tipped Prima flower and a few more pearls to finish...its not the type of card crafters like to make is it but one we always have too at some stage...everything I used except the ribbon and the pearls is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (some might be out of stock atm though)...I made the sketch up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, Inky Chicks challenge and the Flutter By Wednesday challenge...right that's me for today, short but at least I'm creating even if not colouring yet but I hope to do that today all being well...I think I have to go out today as we need to restock the fridge but it wont be for long as you never know when that snow will sneak up on me do you lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and keep safe and warm

Mina xxx

watch out for that imaginary snow...

Good morning everyone, well I hope its morning anyway...I had the strangest weirdest day yesterday...with my temperature up and down so much I barely remember any of it, I have always been like that with a temp since I was a child.  Well Phil had fun anyway he was telling me on the phone this morning about my weird antics between being asleep for 19 hours that is...apparently I was pushing away imaginary people, arguing about the snow (there is no snow) and held the same conversation with him about eight times asking him the same questions again and again lol, I dont even remember going to bed last night how strange is that...so as you can imagine although I'm a little more coherent this morning, well as coherent as I can be lol there's no card made for today...I'm hoping for a semi conscious day today so you never know what tomorrow will bring...I hope you have a great day today and dont forget to watch out for that imaginary snow, its a devil

Mina xxx