its BLOG HOP time...

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a great week?...I hope so...its blog hop day for Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteam, you should have arrived here from the super talented Kaly but if you didn't then just pop on over to our host for this month, the fabulous Danielle to start at the beginning...you don't want to miss the chance to win one of our $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil just for commenting do you...Danielle chose the theme of Distressing for this months hop

I always struggle with distressing as my cards never look distressed enough to me but I had a go anyway...I chose the stunning Lil Ballerina for my card...I thing this image is so cute and sweet don't you and she could be used for lots of occasions for any sweet little girl...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her tutu and slippers...the stunning colours I used are from the Graphic45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection 8x8 paper pad...this pad has the lushest colours and patterns in it and loads of bits to cut out...I cut out the butterfly and banner out of it and finished with some stunning royal blue wired ribbon, a few (well a lot actually lol) punched butterflies, a couple of gems and a Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ornate Plates embellishment...the next stop along your hopping way is the wonderful

JAK

who will have something amazing to show you as always...the lush sketch I used is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Just Inspirational Challenge and Artistic Inspirations Challenge too...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments for a chance to win...have a brilliant day whatever your up to today

Mina xxx
p.s. I have MEGA CANDY on offer atm just click on the link in my sidebar to join in

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit - pumice stone, tattered rose, peeled paint, evergreen bough, timbled glass

shading - pumice stone

a little bit of pink...hop along...

 

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...I haven't forgotten about the garden photos they will be here tomorrow, that's if you still want to see them of course...its time for our Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly challenge and if your in the hop you should have arrived here from the fabulously talented

KALY'S

blog but if you want to start at the beginning and be in with a chance of winning one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil then pop on over to the lovely Pops to start at the beginning and don't forget your comments along the way for a chance to win

our theme this month is Pink...now I cant resist a bit of pink can you?...I chose to use this fantastic Steffi Sobbing for my card, don't you just love her two front teeth...there's four of these little Crybabies to collect and they are each as cute as the other...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her perfect little outfit with a pretty gingham from an old paper pad from my stash...they are from the Graphic45 Little Darling's pad...I love this stunning pad I bought ages and ages ago and will be gutted when its finished

I finished my card with a ruffled cream satin ribbon bow and punched a few buttons from the same papers...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and the That Craft Place Challenge too...I'm the last stop on the hop, I hope you enjoyed it and didn't forget your comments for a chance to win...I'm having another chilling day today but will be back tomorrow with the garden photos...I'm loving our deck now, when we first moved in I thought what on earth will we do with this big lump of wood but its filling up nicely...speak to you all tomorrow and I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you today

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

heart and hair decoration - tattered rose, victorian velvet

shading - pumice stone

a bit of steampunk...

Good morning everyone your comments about your cinema experience yesterday gave me a real chuckle and I thought the feet incident was bad lol...I had a really quiet day yesterday and caught up with a few things and only one temperature so not a bad at all...and then...wall to wall sunshine in the afternoon so we sat on the decking in amongst all the beautiful flowers that are finally blooming and chatted...I love afternoons when Phil gets finished early and we can have some chat time before dinner...I think I still haven't got over the novelty of having Phil home even though its a year now...can you believe how fast the last year has flown by...its like blink and its gone...right for my card today I have an amazing artist digi...the artist is called Mitzi Sato-Wiuff and she is super super talented...I have admired her work on facebook for a while but only just found her Aurorawings shop on Etsy...this is just one of her amazing digis (of course I bought a few more lol)...this is the beautiful Steampunk Angel and Owl 2-Pack coloured with my distress inks, I cut the owl out and raised it a little...she is a dream to colour, I just knew she would be and I cant wait to colour the others I bought and I will have to get some more definitely...I used some lush papers from the Graphic45 Old Curiosity Shoppe 8x8 paper pad I bought ages and ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and cut out some butterflies from the same pad...oh I have a hint for you too today...the fab letters are from an old set of stickers and I had no a's left so I cut around the negative and used that instead...it worked ok don't you think and made the sentiment a bit more interesting...I finished with a cog charm...I'm not sure I got the steampunk theme right what do you think?, I always have problems adding more stuff than I think a card needs and all the steampunk cards I see have loads of stuff on them...must try harder Mina lol...the fab sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Cardmakers Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge too...I'm sorting some clothes out for our holiday today and wont have another post until Saturday with a little bit of Bunny Zoe's Crafts holiday candy for you...I will be posting a few cards next week while I'm away...I will schedule them but will hopefully add some gossip while I'm away...fingers crossed for the WiFi in the hotel...whatever your up to today have a brilliant relaxing one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

wings - frayed burlap, antique linen

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - peeled paint

outfit - gathered twigs, antique linen, pumice stone, peeled paint

owl - gathered twigs, frayed butlap, antique linen

shading - pumice stone

a butterfly baby for me...

Good morning everyone are you all having a fabulous week?...hasn't the weather been amazing lately, but its meant to break today, I know all the plants will be grateful for the rain but I will miss the sun...nothing seems too bad when its sunny does it. Mind you it does bring out some weird fashion sense and characters lol...sitting watching out of the window can make you start with some of the sights...like today...explain this if you can...a balding man from the front dressed in shabby shorts and t shirt, he had one of those hairlines from the front that looked like a monk you know what I mean don't you...just a circle of close cropped hair surrounding a bald patch but as he got closer I thought to myself, why on earth has he got a scarf on...it wasn't a scarf he had dreadlocks...starting at the back of the monks crop about 30cms long a thick lush crop of dreads...wow how on earth did he manage that...I spent ages just wondering lol...right my card for today is using this fantastic little cutie that Mo drew for me, she cheered me up when I had so many high temperatures I thought I would burst into flames...she really is one of life's good guys and such a super kind charming lady too...this is Baby Fairy Butterfly 2 from Mo's Digital Pencil...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and I know I normally do add glitter to wings (its the crafting law isn't it lol) but couldn't bear to cover these beautiful wings...I used some beautiful papers from the Graphic 45 Little Darlings 8x8 paper pad I bought ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and finished with some green ribbon, a punched butterfly and some flat backed pearls from the *Mixed Bag* 5mm Flat backed Pearls...the lush sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Heck of a Challenge and the ABC Challenge too...I will be back tomorrow with my last candy winner (no I hadn't forgotten lol) and then on Thursday with a bit more candy but no card until Friday, I'm going to do two cards then a couple of days off for a while until I'm fully recovered I think...it wont be long though it may take me a while to get back to a card every day...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope its not too wet for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

wings - tattered rose, scattered straw, peeled paint, tumbled glass

tutu - tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

its hop time...

Good morning everyone its that time again...time for you to get a chance to win one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil by joining in with our Dreamteams Blog Hop this month again...all you need to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on all the blogs along the way...you should have arrived here from the fabulous 

ALICE

but if you didn't pop on over to our wonderful Heidy's blog to start at the beginning...Heidy is our host this month and she chose the theme of Gingham or Plaid...well I didn't need telling twice any excuse to use gingham, I love it

I used this amazingly cute Easter Baby Girl S for my card...isn't she just so adorable with her cuddly bunny and shes perfect for an Easter card for a little girl...I coloured her with distress inks and used some scrap of paper from the Graphic 45 An ABC Primer collection...the gingham is some of the Games & Playtime sheet and the spotted is from a Jumping Joan sheet...I loved the aged red and thought it gave an unusual touch for an Easter card don't you...I finished with a red gingham ribbon aged with antique linen distress ink and some letters from a sticky sheet for my sentiment...the next stop on our hop is the lovely

POPS

who I'm sure will have something gorgeous to show you...the fab sketch I used for my card is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Craft Challenges2 and the Papertake Weekly Challenge too...enjoy the rest of the hop everyone and don't forget your comments for a chance to win

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - antique linen, barn door, pumice stone

bunny - pumice stone, spun sugar, victorian velvet

basket - frayed burlap, antique linen, barn door

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

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

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

so not me?...

Good morning everyone did you have a good day yesterday?...did you ever have one of those lazy days when you don't want to do anything at all except laze around...well we had one of those yesterday, when I got up we just looked at each other and both knew we wouldn't be heading for any sales at all...I think things just caught up with us...we plodded on and I got dressed and make up on then came downstairs, Phil said 'You don't really want to go out do you?'...don't you just love it when they agree with you lol...Phil said he didn't want to go out either so I popped back into my jimjam's while Phil made us a sandwich for lunch and we lazed around, had warm fruit cake with cream and watched Ice Age The rise of the dinosaurs...next thing I remember is waking up at 6.30pm...I must have dozed off, well I say dozed off went unconscious would be a better description I think lol...then our lazy day was followed by an equally lazy evening watching tv and eating junk...oh well I guess we will be rested for today anyway, well that's if we ever get our butts in gear to do anything today...fingers crossed...right now onto my card for today which has to be one of the fastest cards I have ever made and I'm don't think its my style do you?, at the beginning of the year I always make a few stock cards, you know the ones don't you...the sort that you might need during the year and will have stashed away so your not running around like a headless chicken having to make one...this one for a baby boy and I will make a baby girl one too, so when I decided to make this I knew straight away I would use the stunning Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Little Darlings pad...I love this stunning pad and it has so many stunning images in it I didn't even have to colour one (I know shock horror lol)...the image is from the pad and all I needed to finish was a few beautiful mixed pearls, a stunning satin ribbon and bow and a few roses including one from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Sage (10pcs) pack, these are fabulously crinkled flowers...the pad and flower are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and there's a 10% off across the store until midnight 1st January promotion on atm too so go on grab a bargain...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge and the Totally Gorjuss challenge (my something new is a New Baby card)...well hopefully we will be so rested from yesterday we will be heading out today but you never know when the lazy bug will strike do you lol...whatever your up to have a fun day everyone

Mina xxx

star...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fabulous weekend...we headed for Ikea yesterday, our beautiful Daughter and her other half needed to go and her car is still broken down so we decided we would make the sacrifice to take them (yeah right lol)...of course we didn't need anything at all and still managed to spend more than they did...£50 later and some massive bargains including a picture frame and poster to go in it...the picture frame is huge and was a bargain £7.50 but the poster was £7 reduced to £3.99...but when we got to the till he charged us £3.99 and then it was discounted £3.99 so it was free????...I asked him if that was right he says that's what it scanned so it must be...well who am I to argue?....ooooohhhhh I do love a bargain don't you, but that's ridiculous lol...after that we went and picked up our new Christmas tree for the kitchen but as we didn't get home until after 7pm we still don't have them up and I also bought new floaty curtains for the kitchen and would like to get them up first so maybe today but as Phil has the day off for Christmas shopping I don't hold out much hope...oh and we are getting my Christmas present today too, I have my eye on a pair of boots so Im hoping they have them in stock in our closest Clarks store or it means another trip to Belfast...such a shame lol...right now onto my card for today how lush is this fantastic stamp from Crafts and Me...its by the super talented Robin Pushay and is called Tree Top Blessings...such a beautiful Christmas image isn't it...I coloured her with distress inks and glittered just about everything I could think of...the star, her wings and the flames on the candles...the amazing papers are from Graphic45's Christmas Emporium Collection and is called Tis The Season...I finished my card with a gorgeously glittery Noel sentiment (this is a decoration I bought in the sales last year) and some pearls...I'm entering it for the Lady Anne's Challenge, Paperplay Challenge and the Totally Gorjuss challenge too...right I'm off to get the war paint on, a girl cant go boot shopping without her lippy can she girls...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair, dress, wings and shading - antique linen

tree - shabby shutter, peeled paint

reds - barn door

hair decorations - peeled paint, barn door

star - scattered straw

some days are so lucky...

Good morning everyone, I hope everyone is safe and sound and that all my American friends haven't been touched by the devastation that is Superstorm Sandy...nature is so beautiful most of the time but can be very cruel sometimes...I like most of us in the UK watched the news unfold with bated breath and hoped that this time wouldn't be too bad and only property would bear the brunt...I'm so sorry to say it wasn't and my heart goes out to the people whose lives were touched by death and destruction...some days are so lucky arent they and you end up feeling so glad to be alive...we went out to dinner last night, just a lovely quiet meal at a seaside town for the two of us...it was a fabulous dinner and of course we ate too much lol...we left about 7.30 so it was dark and Phil crossed the road just ahead of me, of course I looked before I crossed, always do, I learnt my green cross code at school lol...a motorbike was bombing up the road without its headlight on and spotted me at the same time as I spotted him...I knew it wouldn't miss me and know enough about bikes (thank you Phil) to know it would be easier for him to try and go round me than for me to run and for him to try and dodge me...so I just closed my eyes and waited for the thud...when I opened them the bike had stopped about 30cms (12 inches) away from me and Phil was standing on the pavement with his mouth open...some days when you walk away from something like that you feel utterly blessed...that will teach me to eat too much lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge which this time is our wonderful Nic's (Coops) choice, she chose the theme of Bling It Up...I used this beautiful Horn of Praise by Sara Burrier from Crafts and Me for my card...stunning isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks and glittered the sun and her wings...the amazing paper is from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...gorgeous colours isn't it, did you know some people in Northern Ireland consider the peacocks feathers to be really bad luck (full of useless information aren't I lol)...I finished with loads and loads of blue gems...the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp but as I didn't use a stamp I cant enter it...but I am entering it for the Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge, Anything Goes Challenge and The Crafty Blogger's Network challenge...I'm off out today I feel in the need of a mooch, well we all do sometimes don't we...whatever your up to today take care crossing the roads and stay safe

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

dress and wings shading - antique linen

leaves and dress trim - peeled paint, stormy sky

trumpet and sun - scattered straw

sepia?...

Good morning everyone, hows your week been, anything exciting?...I was looking through some photos the other day and I remembered my Dad has a block and white photo of my Mum was she was in her early 20's, of course it has sepia tones now but it is an amazing photo and my Mum looks so beautiful in it, I must get a copy of it...apparently when my Mum was that age of course it was the fifties and she had a waspish figure with a 19inch waist would you believe how amazing is that...well at least I have a 19inch thigh so similar lol...anyway the reason for that little story is I tried to recreate the same look with this stunning digi from Crafts and Me...its called Reading Time and is by the super talented Hannah Lynn...hhhmmmm I'm not sure I managed it though what do you think?...I coloured these with distress inks and used some lush paper from Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue collection called Tiki Voyager...I love love love Graphic45 just in case you hadn't noticed lol...I finished my card with a lush sparkly bow, some gorgeous pins and a few pearls scattered about...well that's me for today, I hope I'm still lying about around the pool atm and Phil has the sense to flip me over now and again, mind he may need a big fish slice lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
everything else is a mix of antique linen and frayed burlap

eek no colouring...

Good morning everyone...what did you get up to at the weekend? anything exciting?...go on let us know and make us all jealous...it absolutely tiddled down here yesterday so no gardening thank goodness I'm so glad of the rest...even so doing bits and pieces meant I didn't get any crafting done at all and when we did finally sit down at about 4pm I fell asleep almost instantly and didn't wake until 7.30 would you believe...I must have needed it though as I'm still shattered and even went to bed early last night. We did pop out to the supermarket for a few things though and I watched as Phil and my Dad stood open mouthed watching a rather plump middle aged woman with skin tight pink cropped trousers, a skin tight leopard print top and the biggest hair and loads of bling you have ever seen looking at the book section...the expressions on their faces were hilarious and when they saw me watching them they just grinned like a couple of schoolboys found with their hand in the cookie jar lol...seriously though do some people not own a mirror, although I suppose she thought she looked great and that's what counts...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month the theme is distressing, any kind of distressing you want, you can distress your papers or distress using inks anything you like...I chose to use these stunning stamps (the compass one and the main postcard one) from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Check In
stamp set, this like all the Kaisercraft sets is so so lush, loads of stamp all on one sheet too and fantastic quality...I distressed the edge of my main image with antique distress ink and used papers from the beautiful Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad...I finished with a little bit of lace, some clocks cut from the papers and a frame from the 3 x Oval Frames (B053-W) set...Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge (this one is stamps only), Stampalot challenge and the Allsorts challenge...I have to do a crafting day today to catch up with dt work and do some crafting for while I'm away, I still need to do my posts don't I ocd or what lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget to check those mirrors before you head out lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours - antique linen for edge distressing

never ask a man to choose...

Good morning everyone, hows your week been?, I hope it was a brilliant one...I think I sorted the pink out, isn't it amazing what a bit of old printer paper and some double sided tape can do, well it will do for the time being anyway, not the best but better...all I need now is to sort the room out lol...I managed to get all the holes filled in the bathroom but that's as far as I got...my lovely Dad had to go out so of course what choice did I have but to go with him, well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...I picked up a catalogue from our local diy store of all the new stuff they are getting in and wow wow wow to their range of wallpapers...I have my eye on three of them for our bedroom, now Phil keeps saying do what you want it doesn't bother me the colour or whatever so I chose what I liked...one has the most amazing pink and blue design on it and it very loud, the second is more muted with a pale washed out grey background and pale pink huge roses and the last is lavender and yellow roses (I cant show you photos yet as they aren't on their website until they stock them)...so I made the big mistake of asking Phil what he thought and which he would chose...apparently he doesn't like any...moral of that tale, don't ask lol but then I was only asking his opinion and will choose the one I want really, wouldn't you?...right now onto my card for today which is using this beautiful Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts and Me, stunning isn't she...this is Monarch Mermaid...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used this lush yummy paper from Graphic45's The Magic of Oz collection...its called Poppy Fields...I used a wired checked ribbon for the bow and some of the poppies (my favourite flowers) for decorations, the sketch I made up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Crafty Sentiments challenge, Bearly-Mine challenge and the Creative Inspiration challenge...I have my paint brush poised today and I don't mean the craft sort so you know what I will be doing...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget if you don't want to know don't ask
Mina xxx

Distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
cat - frayed burlap
outfit - glittered
flower - fired earth, ripe persimmon
leaf - peeled paint

come fly a kite...

Good morning everyone can you believe another week over, how fast is this year flying past...whoosh and its rapidly flying towards Christmas...can you believe it...I had a fab afternoon catching up with my Dad yesterday, we had coffee, lunch, then shopped and even managed to put the world to rights lol...you were all so right about needing the time out from the house, I thoroughly enjoyed just getting out for the sake of it...so I'm all refreshed for the last big push which means taking beds apart and getting the bigger furniture ready to go, I so wish we had our new sofas in time for the move but at least they wont be long, well that's what the salesman said anyway and they always tell the total truth don't they lol...I was having a little think about the stairs and would quite like a runner instead of carpet so did a bit of research and found a lot of painted runners which look fantastic and of course the colours are up to yourself arent they...will have to have a bit more thinking about it...have a look at this (not my colour though but the technique is brilliant) and let me know what you think would you I would be really interested to know what you think...the staircase has the original bannister which is very old wood but the spindles are replacements and I think the spindles would look great creamy white and the bannister's waxed to a high shine darker wood...right now onto my card for today which is using this fantastically cute image from Mo's Digital Pencil, I didn't notice until I saw the close up photo but there's a line across my image, it wasn't on Mo's so it must have been a glitch on my printer so sorry about that...anyway this little fella is called Kite and of course I coloured him with distress inks and some more of my paper offcuts I found again...this one is by Graphic45's An ABC Primer collection and is called Bedtime stories...lush isnt it, I finished my card with a huge blue bow and a few buttons...another made up sketch again but Im entering this for the Paper Pretties challenge, Bearly-mine challenge and the Truly Madly Crafty challenge too...two guesses what I will be up to today lol...whatever your up to I hope you have a fantastic day...oh btw today is the last day I will have internet until Tuesday but I have all my posts arranged so fingers crossed they will post on time...wish us luck for Monday please we will need it lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
clothes - peeled paint, pumice stone, weathered wood
kite - barn door

yum yum yum...

Good morning everyone are you all having a peaceful relaxing weekend, I think it will be our last peaceful weekend for a while don't you lol...don't you just love nice surprises, I woke up yesterday feeling really tired and a bit washed out (that's what happens when you burn the candle at both ends I guess) dragged myself downstairs to find Phil cooking one of my favourite breakfasts, smoked bacon, croissants and mushrooms...yum yum yum it was so scrummy too, its the little things like that that really count isn't it, not a grand gesture or spending money on gifts, just little caring thoughtful things don't you think it made my day and really brought my mood sky high...oooohhhh I'm getting slushy in my old age aren't I lol...thanks for all the kind thoughts for my arm, its fine a few bruises is all, takes more than bad manners and a wayward shopping basket to put me out of action lol...my lovely Dad is off on his travels again, I love to see him going away he very easily slips into a rut when hes home, I know what its like living alone and its easy to slip into one isn't it...so him getting away does him the world of good plus I know it sounds selfish but we really have a lot on our plates atm so it gives us one less thing to think about, does that sound awful...right now enough waffle Mina onto your card for today I hear you all shout...how stunning is this beautiful little mermaid (have you seen the new Little Mermaids set yet?) from Mo's Digital Pencil...this cutie is called Melia on her Shell, this is the undersea version of a mobile phone I think lol...I coloured her in just one colour distress ink this time (except for her skin of course) and glittered her up...the fantastic papers are from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe, have I told you before how much I love Graphic45, what do you mean I have, you sure lol...this stunning pad is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some gorgeous black ribbon and a black velvet bow...I didn't think it needed anything else, do you?, the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Creative Card Crew challenge and the Crafty Catz challenge too...we are off to look at sofas today, we need to either get them ordered or at least agree on which ones to buy, even agreeing on a colour would be a start wouldn't it lol...wish us luck...whatever your up to today have a brilliant stress free relaxing kinda day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
everything else - pumice stone

shattered...

Good morning everyone are you all having a wonderful weekend?...I'm back, we got back late last night and I am totally shattered...we all had a fantastic night out, although I wasn't feeling too well so wasn't as able to dance and sing as much as I would have loved too, but everyone else made up for me lol...when we arrived at my little Sisters house she was so excited to see us and then when her Husband told her we were all going out she got even more excited...a bus arrived all decked out in 40th Birthday banners and we set of for the venue, it was a cabaret club with dinner, dancing, a show and one of the funniest drag acts I have ever seen...fantastic night and we didn't get to bed until after 2am then up at 7.30...so you can imagine how tired everyone was, we all just lazed about watching our amazing performance at the Olympics and sitting in the garden, the weather was beautiful, sunny and really warm...Phil arrived in the afternoon and we then all headed out later to dinner at a beautiful old house converted into a restaurant...so a super fantastic time but I so miss my Sisters when I'm not with them I wish I lived closer to them and we could see each other every day...right now onto my card for today which is using a beautiful Tilda from the Summer Memories collection, don't you think this Magnolia Summer Memories - Waterlily Tilda is the perfect image for summer...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Little Darlings pad, this one is out of stock atm but there's some new Graphic 45 paper pads I have my eye on for my next purchase...I finished with some coffee coloured ribbon and I stamped a sentiment on some of it too and added a Prima Flowers Charlotte - Snow flower...everything I used except the ribbon and pearls is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts... the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge, Totally Tilda challenge and the Ribbon Girl August Challenge, I had a couple of other challenges in mind for it to but my poor tired brain wont work hard enough to remember them lol...its going to have to be a lazy Sunday today, maybe a little trip for food but that's about it as I need some serious rest and relaxation for the next week of packing I think...whatever your up to today have a fantastically sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - victorian velvet, shabby shutters
water - stormy sky
flowers - spun sugar, shabby shutters

Blog hop release day - Under the Sea

Good morning everyone have you all had a brilliant week?...what have you got planned for the weekend anything exciting, I have but I cant tell you about it until Saturday or Sunday so ssssshhhhhhhhhhh not a word...its release day finally at Funky Kits and the fabulous Under The Sea Stamps go on sale at 9am, have you made your list yet or cant you decide and are getting all of them...you should have arrived at my blog from the fabulous
PAT
if you haven't and you want to start at the beginning with a chance to win some goodies from Sugar Nellie then hop on over to Tiets blog to start at the beginning

don't forget your comments for a chance to win though you don't want to miss out...this is the amazing Waterlily, isn't she beautiful lounging on her rock surrounded by the stunning lilies...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and this time teamed her up with these beautiful papers from Graphic45, they are from the Baby to Bride collection, the striped is called Unforgettable, I made a circle easel card and added some cream seam binding, a beautiful organza flower and a sprinkling of pearls

your next stop on our hop today is over to the wonderful
JANE
who has another stunning make to show you...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments, oh and if you get lost the list of the hop is on our Sugar Nellie blog...I'm off on my secret mission now so will report back as soon as I can...whatever your up to today have a brilliant sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
outfit and lilies - pine needles
rock - pumice stone, crushed olive
Lily pads - crushed olive, forest moss

normal service is resumed - well as normal as it gets anyway...

Good morning everyone, how are you all it seems ages since we had a good natter...first off my Dad is doing fine, hes very tired but getting up at 6am and hanging around a hospital forever will do that to you, he gets his dressing off today and all being well he will have perfect vision...oh no he will be saying I have more wrinkles now lol...ok own up which one of you was it that suggested we move house lol...I'm exhausted and am falling asleep before I even get a chance to get online so no blog hopping for me, I have most of the bedrooms sorted, packed and ready to go and we did the attic and cupboard at the weekend, poor Phil thinks I'm going next door for bags to take to the dump lol...did you all enjoy the first three days of the hop then, fab stamps aren't they and lovely to colour too don't forget there's one more day on Friday and one more chance to win goodies too...right now onto my card for today...isn't this amazing image from Sara Burrier just beautiful...all that hair is fabulous to colour...this is Poppy Princess and she will be available at Crafts & Me soon...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I finished with a black satin edged organza ribbon, a Cherish sentiment tag and some of the butterflies cut from the paper...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Sassy Cheryl's Digi challenge and the Creative Inspirations challenge...I'm off out to Town today I need to get a few things and need a day away from packing I think before I go a bit stir crazy, don't forget I will be back at 9am tomorrow for the last day of the Sugar Nellie hop...whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen,
dress - scattered straw, crushed olive, pumice stone
butterflies and heart - stormy sky

hop hop hop under the sea - day 2

Good morning everyone, did you all enjoy the hop yesterday amazing makes from our fabulous team werent they...so many different styles and each so beautiful...if you all started at the
Sugar Nellie Blog
this morning then you will have realised Im the first stop on todays hop around and get to introduce the beautiful Oceans Gift...isnt she stunning, I love her hair and how shes perched on her rock admiring her pearl and that little seahorse is sssssooooooo cute isnt it

I coloured her with distress inks and couldnt resist using this incredible Graphic45 paper with her...it just sort of goes with her dosent it...its from the On The Boardwalk Collection and is called On the Boardwalk (well that makes sense dosent it lol)...I finished my card with some buttons and a huge rust coloured glittery ribbon bow...the sketch is another from the Mojo Monday archive...your next stop on the hop is the fabulous
JANE
who has another amazing make to show you again...I know you have only seen two so far but which is your favourite so far?...go on tell me Im dying to know and theres only another three days for the release at Funky Kits of course

dont forget to leave a comment on all your stops for a chance to win some goodies...Im still up to my eyes in boxes and black bags at the min so thats what Im up to today...whatever your doing have fun and enjoy the hop...I will speak to you all tomorrow at 9am again for day 3
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - tea dye, antique linen
outfit - crushed olive, stormy sky,
beads and pearl - barn door
rock - pumice stone, crushed olive