Im in yellow mode...

Good morning everyone are you all having sunshine, we are having wall to wall sun now if we could just get the temperatures to match we might be changing seasons eventually...I had a fantastic day crafting yesterday, don't you just love a colouring session, its good for the soul...although I did stab myself twice, once with a scalpel and another with my scissors...but then its me so that normal isn't it lol...I just noticed after I had made up some cards, I must be in yellow mode and everything I have made for the next few days (except tomorrows that is) has some yellow in it...I think its the papers though they are defo getting more colourful and bright. I did a little bit of shopping last night, the new Magnolia stamps are in Bunny Zoe's Crafts for pre order and I usually only buy one of each collection but three dropped into my basket, they are so cute and unusual and I just couldn't resist, oh and I bought some of the new Magnolia papers too and just as I was leaving a Prima paper pad dropped into my basket, don't you hate it when that happens lol...I was cooking honey glazed chicken last night for dinner when it suddenly dawned on me its not that I hate cooking so much its the planning I hate, deciding what to make does my nut in...how do you all plan what your going to eat, maybe I should shop every day, yeah right lol...right enough waffling onto my card for today, this beautifully delicate image is a Belles and Whistles stamp called Every Belle...the Belles and Whistles stamps are a massive 25% off atm too...shes beautiful to colour and I used my usual distress inks and paper pieced her skirt and headband...the fantastically coloured papers are from the Cosmo Cricket 6" x 6" Mini Deck - Baby Jane paper pad gorgeous aren't they (see what I mean about yellow)...I finished with some fab yellow seam binding, a couple of pearl headed pins and a lush flower from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Buttercream pack, everything except the ribbon and pins are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts ...these look very squashed in the packet but when you get them out and plump them up they are lush...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it into the Ribbon Carousel challenge and Creative Card Crew challenge ...I'm off out to lunch with Phil today he gets an hour for his lunch and only works a couple miles away so we are meeting in town, how amazing is that...whatever your up to today have a good one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
top and shoes - scattered straw

clowning around...

Good morning everyone have the winds finally settled down where you are, they died down a little yesterday afternoon then there was stillness last night and it seemed so weird because it has been blowing so long the silence was surreal...we went to the supermarket yesterday and put the whole world to rights over our coffee and tea so prepare to see things pick up over the next few days lol...my beautiful Daughter text me and asked me did I fancy dinner which is Daughter text for 'do you fancy cooking', well I didn't but I did buy us all takeaway instead...we had pizzas and I don't know if it was the garlic or what but I was so so thirsty I couldn't stop drinking water all night...we had a good old natter and spent some time together and her lovely fella even put my bins back for me bless him...I never know what to call him, partner sounds like their names should finish with Ltd or & Co doesn't it, I cant say boyfriend because they have been together 5 years and living together for nearly 3 of them, boyfriend sounds like they go on date or two...maybe I should call him my future Son-in-law might give them ideas to make it legal and give me an excuse to make some wedding invitations lol...what would you call him all suggestions greatly accepted...anyway onto my card for today which is another dark photo as the skies are still so grey the colour gets all washed out...this gorgeous little cutie is from Belles and Whistles and is called Clowning around, isn't she so gorgeous, I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her outfit, I love paper piecing, its all that cutting out...btw a little hint when your paper piecing, when you cut whatever your doing out go around it with a black pen and then you wont get those raw white edges...the fantastic papers and sentiment I used are from the Kaisercrafts Blea and Ivy 6.5x6.5 paper pad, the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some fantastic red gingham ribbon, the blue, green and red isn't a combo I have used before but I think it works well don't you...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and Truly Scrumptious challenge too...I'm going to do some crafting and tidying today so not going out at all...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

the snowman...

Good morning everyone, what you all up to this weekend? anything exciting...Phil is away at the races again, can you believe he has been camping in this weather for the last two nights the madman...well rather him than me bbbbrrrrrrrr....my Sister and her family from Belfast and my lovely Nephew from Newcastle are visiting today, oooohhhhhh I love visitors don't you...my card for today is using this stunning little Peek-a-Boo snowbaby from Belles and Whistles, I used her totally in monochrome, I have never coloured an image totally in black and white before, but I couldn't resist colouring her little face in and had to give her some bright blue eyes too...of course hes a snowman so there had to be glitter for a bit of frost didn't there...

I teamed these two up with these amazing papers from the My Minds Eye Meadowlark paper pad...I scored my card every 3cms to make three steps to add the torn paper too to try and make it look like a snow topped landscape...what do you think did it work?...I finished my card with some frosting all over the hill and added three holly leaves from some ribbon and added two black pearls for berries, the stamp and pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm entering this for the Christmas Stampin' All year long Sparkly challenge, Creative Inspirations Monochromatic challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Nursery Rhyme and Fairy Tales challenge, my Fairy Tale is The Snowman by Hans Christian Anderson...right I'm off to tidy up and securely close my craft room door before my Sis arrives...whatever your doing today have a wonderful time
Mina xxx

my legs not dropping off...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...did I go to the Doctors...nope...why because my leg isn't dropping off therefore I cant have an appointment for 8 days as they only have emergency apoointments...advice...if its no better in a few days go to the hospital A&E department...oh well lets hope my legs starts to fall off and I can get an appointment lol...well you know what they say about Doctors receptionists (apologies to any of you who are as I'm sure your not like that) whats the difference between God and a Doctors receptionist?....God doesn't thinks he a receptionist lol...righty oh onto my card for today which is for Bunny Zoe's Crafts DT...now how sweet and gorgeous is this beautiful Belles and Whistles Belinda with Teddy stamp, I love Belles and Whistles don't you, they are so so sweet and beautiful to colour...I used distress inks and matched her up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft Blea and Ivy paper pad the sentiment tag is from the same pad too...lush aren't they...I also used some of the new Sew Easy Baker Twine-Neutrals, doesn't it work well as a bow and one of the Flower Fantasy wooden ornaments with a button in the centre, the fab sketch is from Stampin' Royalty challenge and I'm also entering this for the Charisma cards negative space challenge, Belles and Whistles anything goes challenge and Crafts us crazy anything goes challenge too...I'm off to the opticians with my wonderful Dad today to pick up his new glasses oh and of course for him to have a quick flirt with the lovely staff in there...you never know there maybe time for a put the world to rights coffee too...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

a rant and a moan-Sweet Stampin challenge+CES challenge+Stamp Something challenge

Good morning everyone...right cover your ears AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH and a little bit of swearing $*^%$&^* , I gave the Internet fairy a real good talking too but it didn't work yet...I will ring BT today and see what on earth is going on...I can get on sites ok but commenting is taking ages and ages to go through and I have loads and loads to catch up with and I miss my blog hopping to you all, so I'm so sorry but you will have to bear with me a little while longer...my card for today is using this stunning little winter image Peek a boo Snowbaby from Belles and Whistles I got this from the fabulous Summer for making the card for the Advent but if your needing it in the UK you can get it at Bunny Zoe's Crafts here and part of the money goes to Breast Cancer charity did you know, sorry about the bad piccies but I forgot to photograph it until the sun was setting and my camera doesn't like that light, I will take another in the light of day...I don't know whats up lately but my crafting confidence is rock bottom for various reasons, don't get me wrong I don't think there's anything wrong with my cards just I'm not happy with them, I see them in my head and make them but they never turn out how I want, I need to give myself a good shake I think...I love this stamp and I love the papers but I'm really not happy with the card and I haven't a clue why...I coloured this gorgeous little thing with Distress inks and teamed it up with more of these lush My Minds Eye Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink paper pad, love those colours...I used some fantastic Prima Lace and a lush satin ribbon and bow, I finished with a few gems and a rub on...the sketch is from Sweet Stampin challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamp Something Winter Something challenge and the CES Bold and Bright challenge too...well I have had a hissy fit and a moan so will leave you in peace to enjoy the rest of your day...have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

return of the snow? - Belles and Whistles challenge let it snow+Sir Stampalot challenge-A winters tale+7 kids college fund+Friday Sketchers challenge

Good morning everyone, who has the snow back then?...we had a teeny tiny bit yesterday but it melted as soon as it landed...I haven't got a new guillotine yet and have had to go back to the trusty steel ruler and knife, I had forgotten how long it take cutting like this compared to my gorgeous guillotine boo hoo...in answer to Lorraines question yesterday yes its just me these things happen too, I just lurch from one thing to the next lol...my card for today is for the Belles and Whistles challenge, 7 Kids college fund and Sir Stampalot challenges too, the sketch is from Friday Sketchers...this gorgeous little sweetie is from the Snowbabies range, did you know that 10% of the price of these stamps goes to Breast Cancer research....this gorgeous little one is called Snowball Snowbaby and you can get her either at Belles and Whistles or Nikki has them in at Bunny Zoe's here...I coloured her with Distress inks and glittered her snowball, the stunning papers are from Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly range and is called Silly Chilly, lush isn't it...I finished with some fantastic ruffled ribbon, boy was this hard to tie into a bow and snowflake charms...I will add the photo of my guillotines later, keep warm everyone and if your lucky enough to live somewhere warm...enjoy
Mina xxx

Sledding in a Winter Wonderland - Belles and Whistles Advent calendar day 17 - scroll down for my Just Magnolia post

Good morning everyone I have been bursting to tell you all that the fabulous Summer of Belles and Whistles asked me to be a guest for the Belles and Whistles advent, how fantastic is that as you all know I love Belles and Whistles stamps so this meant a lot to me, are you all enjoying the advent I love them and they always remind me of the excitement my Daughter had every morning, we used to instead of the usual advent make her an Advent goody bag with 24 teeny little presents in and she got to dip into it every morning, the gifts were either something sweet to eat or maybe a girly thing like nail varnish or even a silly little joke gift but no matter how small she loved it so much and although shes 26 now we only stopped doing her Advent when she moved out last year (I know I should have stopped years ago but I couldn't resist)...I got to use this stunning Merry Sledding stamp for my card, isn't she so sweet and pretty and shes wonderful to colour, I used Distress inks for my colouring. I really wanted the image to pop off the page and what better way of showing her then to use just white card for the background, the 'snow' is made with linen card and scored to make it 3d, when I have a bit more time I will do a tutorial to show you how this is done I think its called paper sculpting, I used the same method for the star a little bit of twinkling frost and we have a winter wonderland.
Don't forget to hop on over to Belles and Whistles Advent for a chance to win a yummy prize everyone and have a fantastic day and I hope its not as snowy as this where you are it is here and very very cold too, I think a white Christmas is on the cards here
Mina xxx
p.s. I'm entering this for the 7 kids college Fund Winter wonderland challenge and the Cute card Thursday One for the Kids challenge too

A Country christmas - Bunny Zoe's Crafts DT

Good morning everyone and I hope you have a fantastic weekend planned...I'm hopefully still shopping till I drop, I may need a rest when I get back I think...my card for today is for Bunny Zoe's Crafts DT and just goes to show you can use any stamp for Christmas, this little beauty is by Belles and Whistles from their ChangeaBelles range called Kneeling Belle and goes great with these amazing bright Christmas papers dosent she, I love Belles and Whistles don't you, I coloured her with Distress inks and paper pieced her dress, the lush papers are from the Kaisercraft Be Merry paper pad, the trees are cut from another sheet, I finished with some gingham ribbon and lush Prima lace, have you seen the fantastic lace Nikki has in stock...wow...I hope you like my card and have a fantastic Saturday everyone
Mina xxx

Revenge of the Giant spiders - Friday Sketchers challenge 122

Good morning everyone, its official spiders are getting huge, I have had to chase around my house three of the biggest spiders I have ever seen...I was going to photograph them but didn't want to get close enough too get a good shot instead I resorted to throwing shoes at them from a distance...I think when I killed the first one the others are seeking revenge lol...I wonder why they are so big now and are they all over the country or just here...onto my card for today which is for the Friday Sketchers challenge, I love this sketch and will use it again and again...the stamp is of course Belles and Whistles, shes called Cupcake and I have been waiting to get my hands on this beauty for ages and a couple of months back I was lucky enough to win the Belles and Whistles challenge and the fabulous Summer sent me her last one in stock (thanks Summer) as my prize...how lush are these Stampin Up papers these are the first Stampin Up things I have ever owned and I won them in the candy from Lori...they are a huge thick pad called Welcome Neighbours Designer Series Paper pad...I finished with a rose and orange gingham thin ribbon, I hope you like...have a great day everyone and watch out for the revenge of the Giant spiders lol
Mina xxx

An oops moment !!! - Friday Sketchers 115

Happy Monday everyone did you all have a wonderful weekend, we had bright glorious sunshine, we were shopping for tshirts for my wonderful Phil yesterday (although why I don't know he has more clothes than me lol) and when we got back to the car it said 29degrees on the dash...fantastic weather I love it....now my card for today is either a serious oops moment or a touch of the seniors lol...I made it for the Belles and Whistles challenge and then noticed it finished today, oh I wonder what this weeks belles and whistles challenge is it might fit that with a lot of luck, I used the gorgeous simple sketch from Friday Sketchers for it too....I used this stunning Belles and Whistles Beary Big hugs stamp, I love this image isn't she just gorgeous and such a dream to colour too, I used distress inks for her...the amazing coloured papers are from the Kaisercraft Utopia paper pad, the stamp and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a ribbon, a mixture of flowers and a fab girl charm from my stash to finish...I hope you like it and have a really happy Monday everyone
Mina xxx

Beautiful in Blue - Belles and Whistles Challenge - So Distressing + Simon Says Challenge - Sketch by Martine

Good morning everyone, well I'm still way way behind with my commenting, I'm catching up but slowly still have problems with my Eyelid/Bottom syndrome lol, so apologies but I will be visiting I promise...we have nothing at all planned for today so if your doing something brilliant or exciting let us all know so we can be super jealous...my card for today is for the Belles and Whistles challenge of distressing (I think this is about as distressing as my papers get I'm afraid lol) and I used the fabulous sketch over at Simon Says Challenge too, I had to move the image across a bit though as I didn't want to cover that fantastic sentiment on the paper...my gorgeous image is one of the new Belles and Whistles stamps and shes called A Child's Prayer isn't she just the cutest thing ever, I coloured her with Distress inks and teamed her up with these incredible papers from the kaisercraft Le Chateau paper pad, the spotted is actually flocked and the sentiment was already on the other paper aren't they amazing papers, I love this pad...everything is from Bunny Zoe's and there's a massive Summer sale on over at Bunny Zoe's Crafts at the mo some real fantastic bargains including 25% off Distress Inks/pad, Stickles, Wags and Whiskers, Stampavie and loads of others my list is growing as I type lol...I finished my card with a few buttons and a cream coloured satin ribbon from my stash...I hope you like and whatever your up too have a fantastic one

Mina xxx

Truly Scrumptious DT card - challenge 36 + Creative Inspirations 68-On the move

Good morning everyone, right which one of you put Mr Blogger in a bad mood, comments went haywire last night, I managed to do all the commenting I wanted too but it took ages and ages and ages...now my piccy have gone haywire, they are fine on my computer, but when I post them they go fuzzy...my card for today is for our new challenge over at Truly Scrumptious which is another fabulous sketch with the added option of 'How does your Garden grow' but of course its up to you if you use that option as long as you follow the sketch your sorted, just a quick reminder that we still have a DT call on for Truly Scrumptious too which doesn't close until the 14th July...I'm entering this for the Creative Inspirations challenge too as you cant get much more movement in an image than this...right now this stunning little stamp I won from the super talented Elise at the new release Belles and Whistles blog hop, I love her she is fantastic isn't she, so cute and happy feeling, the stamp is called Clowning Around you can also get her from Bunny Zoe's Crafts too, the fab papers are from Bunny Zoe's too, they are from the Basicgrey Kioshi paper pad ...I added a Tim Holtz ticket sentiment, ribbons, buttons and flowers from my stash...I hope you like it and when you have time don't forget to hop on over to Truly Scrumptious to have a look at the rest of our amazing teams creations...have a fabulous day everyone and fingers crossed Mr Blogger has a better day today
Mina xxx

Belles and Whistles Challenge 1 - DIY flowers + Basicgrey Challenge week 21 - A sketch by Martine

Good morning everyone, did you all enjoy your day off work well those people that had one anyway...I spent most of it watching TV and lazing about...my card today is for the new Belles and Whistles first challenge which is to make your own flowers and I used the fabulous sketch by Martine for the Basicgrey challenge too...love this sketch Martine

I realised I hadn't used this little sweetie for ages so had to ink her up shes so beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with Distress ink and put her with some of the new Cappella papers from the Basicgrey 6x6 pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love these pads because they are a shrunken pattern so you get the whole 12x12 sheet shrunk to fit a card...I used a Sakura blossom punch by Woodware for the layers of my flowers and scrunched them up layered three of them and added a big pearl also from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (you can see the closeup above) I had meant to spray with glimmer mist but forgot lol...all I needed to finish was a brown velvet ribbon...I hope you like it and enjoy the rest of your day

Mina xxx

Belles & Whistles DT call + Sketch Saturday #102 + Stamp Something-Birthday Somethings + Sweet Stampin Colour choice

Good morning everyone...I was so excited when I read about the Belles & Whistles DT call, you know how much I love love love these fab stamps, so I decided to give it a shot using this fabulous Beary Hugs coloured with Distress inks, I think she is so cute hugging her bear don't you...the amazing paper is from S.E.I and is from the Claire collection its called Vivacious platinum foil paper, its embossed in foiled and is so beautiful, I finished off this amazing lace isn't it so delicate and the ribbon is deep pink velvet...I finished it with a green bow, selection of buttons and a ceramic sentiment...the sketch is by Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering this in the Stamp Something Birthday challenge, Im also entering it for the Sweet Stampin colour challenge, theres yellow in the paper I promise its just hard to see...I hope you like it and keep your fingers crossed for me for the DT call please unless of course your entering for it and I wish you the best of luck too...enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone
Mina xxx

Roses on Paper Challenge 36-Sketch + Quixotic Challenges 22-Make a Splash + Crafty Angels Week 32-Summer

* I HAVE A NEW CAMERA YIPPPPPEEEEEE!!!! *
Well another day and still no fixed camera, I'm off down the town later to post some letters and see if I can get it fixed...but I will either have it fixed or come back with a new one...why...cause I'm totally addicted to gadgets that's why lol

...anyway onto today's card which is for the Roses on Paper challenge which is the fab sketch, Quixotic Challenges and Crafty Angels challenge...the incredibly gorgeous image is of course Belles and Whistles coloured with Distress Inks and glittered which you can barely see because of the rubbish photo...the stunning papers are from the Basicgrey Wisteria paper pad, the pad and stamp I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts... I was really surprised at this Wisteria paper pad as I thought it would be all purples and lilacs but its not and I love it...I finished the card with some pale blue pearl string and a sentiment from a Melissa Frances tag book and an organza bow...I will replace the photos later when I get back with my new....er...repaired camera lol...enjoy the rest of your day everyone
Mina xxx