for all you digi lovers...

Good morning everyone sorry I'm a bit late...I was sick yesterday, I think it was something I ate but it hit me a bit and knocked me off my feet...hopefully its gone now (well there cant be much left lol)...so back to normal, we have had two days of the most glorious weather but normal weather has been resumed and this morning is cloudy and drizzly as usual, well that didn't last long did it and the temperature has plummeted from 20 to 12 degrees, in other words normal for Northern Ireland lol...isn't it strange how we take our own area for granted I was watching a tv programme about the north coast while I was in bed yesterday and it was about the Giants Causeway, now this is only a few miles from us but its years and years since we were there and I had totally forgotten how amazing it is...it got me thinking about all the places around here that are real crowd pullers but we never go to...I feel a bit of research coming on and a few trips out...just goes to show you should check out your own area every now and again and visit all the things you forget is there doesn't it...right now onto my card for today and its one for all you digi lovers...I love Sweet Pea stamps but haven't many as they are so far away, although Crafts and Me do sell a lot of them...did you know they sell digis?...no me neither...I saw an ad for them on facebook last week and couldn't resist...I spent ages deciding what to buy but managed to get it down to three Elaine Cox digis to start with...isn't this fantastic Elaine Cox's Maggie digi just stunning...look at those amazing eyes...I coloured her with distress inks and of course glittered her wing, I used just one sheet of Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for the sketch I used...the sentiment is from the same pad and I finished with a Prima flower...the sketch is from Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge and the Crafty Creations Challenge (old is the paper and new is the image) too...there goes the hole in my head again lol...I'm resting up today as I still feel a bit wobbly on my feet and my stomach aches a bit but that might be hunger...whatever your up to today I hope your well and happy and have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - peeled paint

lips - tattered rose

flowers - peeled paint, shabby shutters

is that a cheer I hear...

Good morning everyone have you all recovered from the shock bet your all breathing a sigh of relief that I wont be moaning on and on now lol....yes I have a card to show you at long last...I took your advice had a little mooch through Pinterest, went to my favourite sketch site, Mojo Monday and put everything aside except what I had to use for my card and although it took me three hours (it usually takes me 15 minuets to colour and about 30 to make a card) I made my card...punched the air and shouted yes...the neighbours must think I have gone nuts lol...mind I have only made one so the mojo is just peeking I think...I cant thank you all enough for all the help and support you gave me, I must admit I was feeling a bit panicky because although my mojo has gone astray like everyone's does now and again but it has never gone missing totally like this time...its so strange isn't it how I feel committed to posting something everyday, a lot of you said take a break from creating and I think it helped loads...so a big massive thank you to all the ones who cared and left me a comment...your all sparkly twinkling little stars...ok enough slushy stuff lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge...this time is our lovely Nic (Coops) choice and she chose Floral Frenzy...now who needs an excuse to add loads of flowers eh?...I used a stunning Hannah Lynn image from Crafts and Me for my card...this is the beautiful Corinne and she colours so easily with all that amazing hair...I used my distress inks and teamed her up with more of the papers and sentiments from the incredible Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...love this pad so much, I finished with two different ribbons and loads and loads of roses...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday (of course) and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge too...I'm off to town today as I have a few errands to run and maybe a little bit of retail therapy...does you the power of good sometimes doesn't it...I might even treat myself to lunch...oooohhhh I love little lone mooches like that now and again don't you...whatever your up to today I hope you have a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlapm tattered rose, spun sugar

hair - antique linen

outfit and flower - victorian velvet

eyes - frayed burlap

every girl needs a bit of glitz...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...there's a load of stomach bugs and flu like thingies (that's a technical term lol) going around at the minuet...I don't want any thanks and our Daughter other half has something icky bless him...I love him to bits but I hope he keeps it to himself as I don't want to go away feeling queasy...my lovely Dad needed to go to the shops yesterday and who am I to turn down a coffee break so of we trotted...my Dads hearing aids were switched up another notch on Friday and I found out over coffee hes finding it a little overwhelming as hes hearing sounds he hasn't heard for about 15 years, I think he thought he had developed super hearing but when I asked him what noises he was hearing they were just what I could hear but he just hasn't learnt to filter the background noises out yet...it will probably take him a little while to get used to it...I do feel for him though bless his cotton socks...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at the Crafts and Me Challenge...this week the challenge is to Bling it Up, now every girl needs a bit of bling in her life doesn't she and I didn't need to be told twice to add some bling to my card...I used this stunning Hannah Lynn image from Crafts and Me for my card, shes called Fire and Ice...beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her hair a little bit...the amazing papers are from the Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (see I told you I wouldn't be able to resist using it loads didn't I lol)...I added a few gems from a Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm bag and a lush glittery ribbon bow made from Cosmic Brown/Gold Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me to finish...I'm entering this for the Through The Craftroom Door Challenge, By The Cute & Girly Challenge and the Twisted Tuesday Challenge too...I have all the men in my life for dinner tonight so I'm making stew, quick and in the oven so I concentrate on other things...oooohhhh and I might get to do a bit of colouring too you never know...whatever your up to I hope you have a good one and if you have time pop by the Crafts and Me Challenge to see what the rest of the Digi team came up with this time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - frayed burlap

lips, outfit and tail - tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

can you ever have too many spring flowers?...

Good morning everyone and yes its finally here...well at least on paper anyway lol...there's me ranting on about technology yesterday and guess what I got...a Samsung Galaxy tablet lol...oooohhhhhh I so love a new gadget but I promise (my hand is on my heart as I type) I will not be playing with it in coffee shops unless I'm all alone and need to look busy and not like Billy-no-mates lol...the sun was actually shining for our last day of Phil's holiday yesterday so we decided to head for the coast...well that was the plan until we saw the three mile long traffic jam of people who thought the same thing...well I guess great minds think alike...ok now onto my card for today and its for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge, this time the choice of theme was mine and I chose Spring Flowers...yes I'm an optimist lol...I chose to use the beautiful Hannah Lynn's Daffodil Springs from Crafts and Me for my card...there's nothing that says spring like Daffodils is there?, btw did you hear because of the weather there apparently a shortage of Daffodils and come to think of it there aren't the usual clumps on the verges that there usually is...that's a shame isn't it?...I coloured her with distress inks and used some papers from a Christmas pad would you believe...they are from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove paper pad I bought ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card and finished with a tag from the same pad, a scattering of spring flowers, some punched leaves and a gorgeous Cosmic Green/Gold Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me made into a bow, this is gorgeous glittery twinkling ribbon and it holds its shape beautifully...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the The Crafty Bloggers Network challenge and the Creative Creations Challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today as my lovely Phil is back at work and I have some spare time, boy those Husbands keep you busy when they are on holiday don't they lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and if you have time pop on over to the Crafts and Me Challenge to check out the rest of our DT's makes...they are lush

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

hair - black soot

eyes - milled lavender

outfit - punice stone, milled lavender

daffodils - scattered straw, antique linen, shabby shutters, bundled sage

shading in background - stormy sky

bear hugs and a giggle...

Good morning everyone thank you all loads and massive hugs for all our anniversary wishes, your such a lovely load of crafters...I think its brilliant how nice crafters are don't you, they always want to wish you well and join in good causes and they love to see people get on or win challenges etc...I think its all that colouring in it chills us out and makes us better human beings lol...we had a lovely day yesterday did a bit of shopping (still no present for each other yet but it somehow doesn't seem important if you know what I mean) then we took a drive along the north coast, stunningly beautiful but it was blowing a bloody gale so we didn't venture out of the car...then out to lunch...home for a little relax and a chinese last night...a wonderful chilling out day...when Phil worked away we never seemed to get the chance to spend important days like anniversary's and birthdays together so we aren't bothered about what we do or even gifts this time we are just enjoying spending it together...oooohhhh I know I'm getting soppy so will get on with my card for today I think before the soppyness get sickly lol...I used a beautiful Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts & Me called Natsumi...don't you just love that cute little panda...like all Hannah Lynn images shes a dream to colour and I used my usual distress inks for her...the lush papers are from the Teresa Collins Design Now & Then paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm as I bought this ages ago...I finished with a white Prima flower, a white satin bow, a pretty strip of lace and a Giggle sentiment from my stash...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and The Crazy Challenge...we are heading out today and might go a bit further afield or even go visiting...whatever your up to today have a fantastic Easter Friday
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

hair - pumice stone

eyes - peeled paint

outfit, wings and flower - shabby shutters, victorian velvet

leaves - crushed olive, shabby shutters

bear - punice stone, black soot

shading - pumice stone

revenge of the ink...

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...good I hope...well I got myself all ready and make up on for the doctors but had an hour to spare so decided to pop into my craft room for a little painting therapy to keep my white coat syndrome in check lol...then off I popped to visit the vampires...oops sorry I mean nurse, blood taken, quick visit to the shops to get some groceries then headed home...when I was heading in I caught sight of myself in the mirror and realised I had a big streak of blue ink down my bottom cheek onto my neck...now seriously my Dad, the receptionist, check out girl and nurse all spoke to me, chatted and not one of them mentioned it lol...either they didn't notice or thought it was part of my makeup...but the freakiest thing is this is the card I coloured...do you notice any blue on it??????...so where on earth did it come from...those inks are so sneaky lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge, this weeks theme is Buttons & Bows (you must use both)....well how hard was it for me to use buttons and bows, I usually use at least one of them every day don't I...I used this beautiful Hannah Lynn digi called Cheshire Cat that will be released on Crafts & Me on April 1st...fab isn't she...I used my distress inks and  kept her face more cat like so didn't do skin tones this time on her...these fantastic papers are a double sided sheet of Graphic45 paper from their Communique Collection called Communique...I love the vintage look of it don't you...I finished with a sentiment strip from the paper, two different ribbon bows and a scattering or two of buttons to match...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Love to Create Challenge, Anything Goes Challenge and the Bearly-Mine Challenge too...I'm off our to the chiropodist with my lovely Dad this afternoon but a bit of crafting this morning...don't worry I will give myself a good scan in the mirror before leaving this time lol...have a fab streak free day today and when you have time pop on over to the Crafts & Me Challenge blog to see what the rest of our amazing digi team came up with this time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, spun sugar

hair - tea dye

eyes - frayed burlap

outfit and bows - barn door

shading - frayed burlap

not just for Christmas...

Good morning everyone hands up everyone who is sick to death of this horrible weather...yep me too...don't you just hate it when your well laid plans go astray...plan was to take my lovely Dad out to lunch to give him his card and tell him we were all going out to dinner then a pipe died in the lane leading up to our garden and the water board decided yesterday was the day to investigate and dig it up so I had to stay in just in case they needed access to the house and garden (where there's three manholes) because they cant do it without someone being in, of course that was after the workmen had given the lane at least three coats of looking at...so plans were changed...by the way do you know how many men it takes to dig a tiny hole?...apparently seven...two to lean on brushes, four to watch the digger dig the hole and the digger driver lol...oh and to save the environment they all arrived in four vans and a lorry with a massive trailer too so not too much fuel used there lol...so the plans were kinda put on hold until we all went out to dinner, my Dad wearing his Birthday Boy badge, me and Phil, our beautiful Daughter and her other half...he thoroughly enjoyed himself, loved his birthday present (a trip to County Mayo staying in a beautiful little cottage in the mountains) and got a little embarrassed when the waitress brought out his cake complete with candles but giggled anyway lol...he had a fabulous evening though and is looking forward to going away next month...right now onto my card for today which just goes to show that you can use Christmas papers all year round...I used papers from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove paper pad I bought before Christmas from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card along with this super beautiful digi from Crafts and Me...shes a Hannah Lynn digi called Queen of Hearts...I coloured her with distress inks and finished with some lush glitzy Cosmic Red/Silver Glitter Ribbon-25mm , a seam binding bow and huge dragonfly and butterfly charm...the fab sketch is from the Stamp with Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge (3 papers, 2 metal embellishments, 1 bow)  too...I'm sure there was another one but cant remember atm...there goes the hole in my head where my memory used to be lol...my day will depend on workmen again today I think whatever your up to today have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

eyes - shabby shutters

hair - black soot

background - antique linen, pumice stone

outfit - antique linen, red is a mix of fired brick and Victorian velvet

no sirens...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a good week, anything exciting happening for you this week...I'm dead nosey aren't I lol...well the Doctors wasn't too bad...totally empty waiting room, no waiting for appointment and I was a little calmer, although the nurse having to jab me three times before she found a vein that would cooperate wasn't too nice but at least we didn't need anything with sirens so that's a result isn't it...and would you believe the plumber came and just in time too any later and I would have missed my appointment, although I did kinda have to hurry him up at the end poor man...the leak is fixed though and at last I can sit on the deck now without needing a wee every time...running water does it every time lol...right now my card for today which is for our new challenge at the Crafts and Me Challenge...this time its our brand new DT member Minna's choice and she chose Tag It...so add a tag or even make a tag...I chose to add a tag to my card using the stunning new Alice digi by Hannah Lynn she is of course from Crafts and Me...I used my usual distress inks to colour her and cut her out a little so the kraft tag showed better behind her...I used some amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Olde Curiosity Shoppe paper pad I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm, I also used a stamp from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Periwinkle at the top of the tag to add a little something to the top part...added a sentiment cut from the same pad, a gorgeous glitzy ribbon bow and a couple of wing charms to finish...I think this style of papers and embellishments kinda suit Alice don't you?...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering it for the Creative Card Crew Challenge, Papertake Weekly Challenge and the Paper Makeup Stamps Challenge too...I'm going to have a crafting day today and a clear up of my craft room I think...well we all know what that means don't we...it means I wont get much clearing done as I will be busy playing with whatever I find lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to have some crafting fun too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar

eyes - weathered wood

hair - antique linen

outfit - weathered wood, antique linen, crushed olive, spiced marmalade

theres nothing like new boots...

Good morning everyone how you all doing...well I hope and enjoying your week...another day of wall to wall sunshine yesterday in fact it was so sunny I could only sit in my craftroom for about 30 minuets until I was so hot I had to go downstairs for a drink lol...now I never thought that would happen, of course I had to pick the sunniest room because of the wonderful light but didn't consider how hot it would get with the sun streaming in well duh lol...its a British disease isn't it, complaining about being too cold in Winter and too hot when the sun shines...its not usually me though, I love Summer and would dearly love to live somewhere warm all year round, but it always makes me chuckle when your standing in a queue in the supermarket in June and someone is moaning about how warm it is and I think 'give it a day or two and they will be complaining about the rain' lol...gotta love em...right now my card for today and how wonderful it would be to see a fairy get some new leaf boots wouldn't it...I can just imagine this little beauty sitting in a garden doing them up cant you...shes from Crafts and Me and is drawn by Sue Rundle-Hughes, isn't she just beautiful and shes fabulous to colour too...shes called The New Boots and I used my usual distress inks to colour her...the lush papers I used are from the Kaisercraft-The Lakehouse paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts many moons ago so is out of stock Im afraid but there are loads of brand new ones on my 'to buy' list, I finished with a fabulous piece of lace, some two tone ribbon and a Prima flower from my stash...I cant remember where the sketch is from but Im entering this for the Card Mania Challenge, Bearly-Mine Challenge and the City Crafter Challenge too...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today, might be a bit of crafting or even mooching or even shopping...you never know...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you even if its just for a little while

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

outfit - victorian velvet, pumice stone, shabby shutters, crushed olive

background - pumice stone, shabby shutter, crushed olive

a fight over bacon rind...

Good morning everyone, did you all have sun yesterday then...mind the temperature didn't go over 8c here even with sun, but there's something about sunshine isn't there, it always seems to put a smile on everyone's face, mind it does show the dust up in your house doesn't it lol...we didn't really get up to much yesterday, after two hours waiting in a super crowded outpatients department for a waste of time appointment that could have used better we did a bit of shopping for dinner then went home for lunch...poor Phil was shattered and sat down for a little while after lunch and nodded off bless him...so I decided to just let him sleep and of I popped to my craft room for a tidy up...nope your right no tidying was done or crafting for that fact...the mojo wandered off into the sun I think and I spent ages gazing out of my craft room window watching the birds going back and forwards fighting over and eating the bacon rinds I had left out for them and sipping tea (me not the birds of course)...very relaxing but nothing done...by the time I came back downstairs Phil was awake and I made a pasta sauce ready for dinner...so we did nothing but relax...I should have spent it hunting for my mojo I think lol...right now onto my card for today which a complete contrast from yesterday bright and sunny card...its for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge, this time our theme is to Add A Charm...I don't really do charms do I but I found this lush love one with the top cut off it made a great sentiment too...I used this beautiful Crafts & Me image Art Deco Pearl for my card, coloured with distress inks and teamed up with the lush Prima 6x6-Fairy Belle pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (its an old one so not there anymore)...I finished with some lush sheer soft gold coloured ribbon saved from a Christmas box and some punched butterflies to finish...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Anything Goes Challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge too...I'm off to do what I should have done yesterday and tidy my craft room today, maybe my mojo will be hiding under all the piles somewhere...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to get out and about and have some fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

outfit - tattered rose, crushed olive

hair - frayed burlap

I want a pet dragon too...

Good morning everyone,  yes I finally managed to upload a card and do a post together...yyyyaaaahhhhhhh and about time too...long may it last...I went out for a while with my lovely Dad yesterday but we didn't stay out long because he isn't feeling too good atm...I get a bit panicky when there's anything wrong with the men in my life...I have not a clue why I just do...I'm hoping he will be a little better today as I think he needs a day out...he really needs a week or two away but out finances like everyone else are still recovering from Christmas so it may have to wait a while...well er....a long while actually...I will try my very best to get him feeling better though so fingers crossed I can get him out and about today...right now onto my card for today, how amazing would it be to have a pet dragon like the stunning Sasha & Jet Digital Stamp from Crafts and Me...just fly off whenever you wanted mind it might not be worth the singed hair and eyebrows lol...I coloured this beautiful Hannah Lynn image with my usual distress inks and used some more of the stunning coloured Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts....gorgeous bright spring colours aren't they?, I finished with two different ribbons in yellow, a cut out flower from the pad and a few scattered buttons...how great is this colour combo for the image...the fab sketch is from the Seems A Little Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz Challenge and Inky Impressions Challenge too...Phil's home today so I have help with operation get Dad out at least, well that's if he isn't called into work, I'm sure his place would shut down completely without him, or is that just the impression they give lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage a lovely trip out too
Mina xxx
p.s. is your blogger acting up, mine is playing daft things with my fonts and colours etc.

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - black soot

outfit - scattered straw, evergreen bough, tumbled glass, shabby shutters

dragon - shabby shutters, scattered straw, evergreen bough, crushed olive

who says it has to be red and white...

Good morning everyone bbbbbrrrrrrrrr its bleeding cold here...in the last 24 hours we have had rain, hail, snow, sleet, its blowing a gale and we have even had sunshine (well if you can count about 35 minuets of it lol)...there a saying here that we can have all four season in one day well it as certainly proved right yesterday...I was going to head out yesterday afternoon but wasn't sure what to wear or if I needed an umbrella or snow shoes lol....I was making this card for today and got to wondering who decided on the colours we should have for different occasions...like green & red for Christmas or red and white for Valentines, did someone actually sit down and decide...can you imagine a room full of elves, fairies and Santa saying ok who votes for red & green then...or a room full of cupids and cherubs deciding they didn't like the idea of orange and green for Valentines...brilliant thought isn't it...I think it just turned out that way don't you think...well I have gone against the grain today and made a Valentines card in Yellow and Blue and the reason?, well today's card is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge and the theme today is to choose or favourite colour combo, mine is Yellow & Blue atm but it changes all the time and I think mine has a lot to do with the new papers I have bought at the time...well it may be against the norm but I think this yellow and blue theme is ok for Valentines what about you?...the stunning digi from Crafts & Me I chose to use is by Hannah Lynn and is called Mimi, stunning isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and the papers I used are from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a bow and a charm from my stash and a few punched hearts from the same pad...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge and the Created With Love Challenge too...well I have one or two choices today but I feel hibernating until spring seems the best option atm, whatever your up to I hope your warm and cosy

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - stormy sky, tumbled glass

lips - victorian velvet

heart - scattered straw

ourfit and fan - tumbled glass, stormy sky, scattered straw

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

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

it may or may not be...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a brilliant weekend...did you all enjoy the hop yesterday?, how amazing are those new Vintage Adorable's bet you couldn't chose just one...if you didn't join in the hop its the post below this one and there's a chance to win prizes so why wouldn't you join in eh?...I know Phil was meant to be resting but he has been like a whirling dervish over the last few days, he has backed and cooked and even made my Dad another Dundee cake...it must be that time of year when everyone isn't well I have heard of at least ten family and friends with Flu and now I have a kidney infection I think...very sore kidneys and back and omg it hurts to wee, yelling hurt I mean...but I will spare you all the details I don't want to put you off your Sunday breakfast lol...suffice to say I'm not putting up with this pain for long and off to Docs on Monday and if I cant get an appointment then emergency clinic I think...too painful not too...right now my card for today...how beautifully elegant is this Art Deco Esther Digital Stamp from Crafts and Me...I coloured her skin and hair with distress inks and couldn't resist doing a lot of paper piecing fir her amazing dress...I would so love to try on a dress like this wouldn't you?...so elegant and feminine...the amazing papers are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Christmas Cottage pad...this is on sale with 25% off at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...theres so many deals about atm I bought seven new pads from Bunny Zoe's on Thursday night and they arrived yesterday morning...yyyyaaaayyyyyyy playthings for next week...I finished with some pearl clusters, a Bo Bunny sentiment and a huge glitzy ribbon bow...I think this is my last Christmas card for this holiday season but it may not be, you never know when a lush image or paper will rear its head from my stash do you lol...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Totally Gorjuss challenge and the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge too...I don't think I will be going very far today unless my back and kidney pain eases a bit but every cloud has a silver lining and Phil is making pies for dinner...yum yum...whatever your up to today have a good one and I hope your all well and stay that way

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

fan - pumice stone, peeled paint

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

never throw anything away...

Good morning everyone, have you all recovered from your hangovers then lol...I don't actually know anyone that went out for New Years Eve, I think once you take into account the taxi's (horrendous double rates all night), the fact that you have to pay to get into usual free pubs and the cost of drinks, I don't think people cant afford that sort of night out anymore do you...its a waste of money unless your young free and single and looking for New Years Mr or Miss Right lol...we had a lovely evening all together...first a gorgeous roast dinner and loads of nattering and watched a bit of tv together and my lovely Dad was so full he nodded off and we couldn't hear the tv for his snoring bless him...the giggling stirred him a little bit though...a really nice family night...I hope you all had some family time around New Year too its so good for the soul don't you think...right now onto my card for today which was a super quick one...I made my card for the follow on to the mega Challenge at Crafts and Me challenge and realised I had read the wrong theme and made a card for Christmas instead of winter wonderland which is the theme...so super quick card made at 9pm last night, not the best card I have ever made but at least it fits the theme...I used the beautiful Daffodil by Sara Burrier at Crafts and Me, with a bit of strategic placing of a punched snowflake to cover the Daffodil she is carrying it fit the theme perfectly don't you think...I coloured her with distress inks and used some of my last few sheets of the Echo Park - Winter Wishes paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some lush sparkly silver ribbon and a ruffled bow...the ribbon was wrapped around a stunning mirrored jewellery box our Daughter and her other half bought me for Christmas...see we crafters never throw anything away do we, especially when its this pretty...the fab sketch is from the Stamp With Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and the Can you Digi it challenge too...when you have time you should enter the mega challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge as there are some lush prizes to win...I'm having a lazy day today and doing nothing for the first time it seems in weeks (its not really cause we had one on Saturday lol) I just feel in need of some rest...btw when do you all take your Christmas decorations and trees down, I think I will take mine down tomorrow...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

 hair - pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

blue - stormy sky

From our Home to yours...

Good morning everyone are you all ready for the visit from Santa then?...we went to the supermarket yesterday and omg it was bedlam, there was even a huge traffic jam to get into the massive car park , they had actually run out of some foods would you believe...no tomato's, no lettuce, no prawns and loads of other things which meant we had to head to two others before we got everything we needed and we still had to buy pre packed and cut lettuce, not happy about that at all but needs must...we were so pleased to get home 7 hours after we left and were putting stuff away when I realised I had forgotten the soft fruit and white wine vinegar to make my pavlova....oh no please, not any more supermarkets ppppllllleeeaaaasssseeee....oh well a quick visit I guess, well as quick as it can be lol, this time I'm going to walk into town to go to a smaller one and leaving the car at home, its not worth putting poor Phil through the stress of traffic jams on his first day off work is it...today's card is my last until Saturday and is my way of sending all the

Joy and Happiness of the Season

from our home to your's, I hope you and those you love have the most amazing Christmas ever...I so wish I could send you all a card but this one will have to do to send you virtually...this image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, she is from one of my all time favourite Ragged range...shes the stunning Ragged Angel...I coloured her with distress inks and the amazingly soft and beautiful papers are from the Kaisercraft - Turtle Dove 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I cut an aperture for her to sit in to give her a bit more dimension and finished with a couple of Kars flowers and an amazing bow made from Cosmic Red/Silver Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me, this is so lush and so easy for bows as its stiffer than normal because of all the fab glitter in it...the sentiment tag is from the same pad I used...I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, One Stop Craft challenge, Glitter n Sparkle challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I will speak to you all on Saturday with loads of gossip about our Christmas...have an amazing time everyone and just think no more Christmas shopping for a year lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

clothes - antique linen, peeled paint, barn door

boots - frayed burlap

the smell of Christmas...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy the blog hop yesterday...if you didn't join in follow the links below you don't want to miss out on the chance of winning a prize now do you...I went out with my lovely Dad yesterday afternoon, we ran a few errands then spent most of the afternoon wishing people Merry Christmas and kissing people, loved it and of course we had to have our usual coffee break, hes off to my Sisters for the holidays on Saturday but I will see him to celebrate a few days after when they all arrive at our house for a feast...love that day, everyone laughing and joking, playing games and eating...brilliant...last night my wonderful Phil made some mince pies with his own special orange flavoured pastry and wow they are scrummy, so lush you don't even need cream with them (of course I had to try a few, just for quality control you know lol)...the whole house is filled with the smell of Christmas and I can still smell them this morning, tonight is his cake night when he makes his massive, boozy, magnificent Christmas cake...it never last over the holidays though when everyone gets their hands on it lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts and Me called Merry Mindy...isn't she fab those eyes are so beautiful...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her and the Christmas baubles just for a bit more festivity...the lush papers are from the My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 Pad which is a massive 25% off at Bunny Zoe's Crafts atm, a real bargain...I finished with a lush green ribbon bow, a holly charm and a sentiment cut from the same pad...the fab sketch is from the Totally Papercrafts challenge and I'm also entering it for the Paper Pretties challenge and the Whimsy Stamps challenge too, Im sure there was a challenge for adding a charm but I cant remember where...I'm off out for some alone shopping (sssssshhhhh don't tell him but its for stocking fillers for Phil) and some lunch with our beautiful Daughter too...whatever your up to today I hope its fun and you have a brilliant time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

tree - shabby shutters, crushed olive

eyes - tumbled glass

baubles - stormy sky

tail - antique linen

outfit - barn door

shading on fur - pumice stone

Magical...

Good morning everyone, wow winter has set in with a vengeance and every morning everything is covered in a dusting of thick frost and ice...freezing cold too...its tuned into a real winter wonderland, very beautiful well until you go out in it then you just wish it would go away lol...I caught up with loads of stuff yesterday, things for Christmas and everyday things too...but I still haven't caught up 'sigh' will I ever I ask myself...oh btw I have some photos to show you tomorrow of the other tree and the fireplace looking all festive including one that Phil had to get in on...I'm heading out with our Daughter today, it happens rarely because of work and life things but I love it when it does, we have decided to get on a train and go a bit further afield than we normally do...her poor little car is still not fixed and need a new alternator???...don't ask lol...apparently it has something to do with the power steering but fingers crossed it will be all fixed before Christmas...I must remember to wear my sneakers as my feet are usually aching when I'm out with her and it will be an even longer day getting the train...I'm so looking forward to it...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me challenge this time the theme is Why So Blue, so anything goes as long as there's no blue in it...this wonderful image is from the brand new Art Deco collection at Crafts & Me and is called Art Deco Geraldine...shes fantastic isn't she and so so easy to colour, so if your in need of a fast card anytime you know what to use...the amazing paper is velvet embossed (the photos don't do it justice) and so beautiful and rich feeling, I'm so sorry but I have no idea who its by but will see if I can find the info strip I think I have it stashed in my paper drawer, I finished with a few pearls and a wow ribbon bow, the ribbon is a fab deep purple colour and matches the paper perfectly...I made the sketch up as I made the card and I'm entering this for the Paper Makeup stamps challenge, Lady Anne's Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...right I'm off to find my sneakers and put the war paint on...whatever your up to today have a brilliant frost free one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

dress - pumice stone, milled lavender, spun sugar

glitter glue for feathers and lower part of dress