lllluuuuurrrrrvvvvvveeeee....

Good morning everyone yep its me on time bright and early...your eyes aren't deceiving you lol...I hope your all well and having a great start to your week, well did you all have a good weekend and did you get up to anything exciting?...oooohhhhh I forgot to tell you yesterday but my poor Dad burst a blood vessel in his eye on Saturday...omg it looks horrendous like something out of a horror film and gave me the total judders, but hes fine we popped into the opticians and were told 'it happens' he probably sneezed or blew his nose too hard and his cataract surgery is fine and cant move now cause that's what I was worried about...phew that was a relief I had awful visions of him having to have surgery on it again...I still cant look at him without getting totally grossed out though lol...the reason I'm back bright and early this morning is because today's card is for our new Hearts/Love monthly challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I couldn't resist this little darling Magnolia LF release stamp isn't she gorgeous with her little robe and fluffy slippers...shes called Tilda Rose Scent and I used my usual distress inks to colour her...the amazingly gorgeous papers and sentiment tag are from the Kaisercraft - Curiosity 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad and I made a bow using Marianne D Lace and finished with a couple of buttons from the Prima Buttons - Tea-Thyme pack, everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Feeling Sketchy Challenge and Im also entering it for the Crafty Calendar Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge too...well I'm busy busy busy today...need to start dealing with things no more time for brooding or feeling grumpy and down...its time to brush ourselves off and start again...I think you know when its time don't you...whatever your up to today I hope its a relaxing fun day for you all...speak to you all tomorrow

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

curlers - tattered rose

robe - tattered rose, shabby shutters

slippers - tattered rose, shabby shutters

perfume bottle - pumice stone, tattered rose, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

cheers...

Good morning everyone how was your weekend? anything exciting?...we had a lovely sunday lunch surrounded by family and all ate way way too much of course...well if you cant do that at family meals when can you lol...I love watching my lovely Dad nodding off in front of a roaring fire after his lunch, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling if you know what I mean...I appreciate every single moment I spend with him, hes such a giggle and has a wicked sense of humour...our beautiful Daughter has a new black kitten and he is such an adorably cute affectionate sweetie, everyone has fallen head over heels for him and he fell asleep on my Dads knee but it must have been a little slippy as he fell off and of course did what cats do when they fall grabbed on for grim life with his claws, that certainly roused my poor Dad but bless him he just caught him and smiled...I love that man with all my heart but it did make me giggle a bit lol...right now my card for today, its for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month our lovely Sara chose the theme of Stitching...now I dont really do stitching but I managed a bit of faux stitching with a black pen and that's about all the stitching I would manage, of course everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...this fabulous little Edwin is from the brand new Little Circus Moscow Magnolia release and is called Edwin Nutcracker Soldier I coloured Edwin with my usual distress inks and glittered him a little with some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust, I paper pieced his outfit with the same lush papers I used for my card and the sentiment tag are also from the Kaisercraft - Marigold 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad too...I added a ruffled bow made with Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Blue and finished with a bit of Sew Easy Floss Assortment - Green strung across the bottom and a couple of buttons from the Primary - 25g button bag, the fab sketch is from The House That Stamps built Challenge and Im also entering it for the Rogue Redhead Designs Challenge and the Just Us Girls Challenge too...I need to get a bit of crafting done today and my craft room and its in desperate need of a tidy...hhhhmmmmm I wonder which one I will choose to do (yeah right lol)...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to get a bit of crafting done too...have a great one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot

crown - antique linen, ripe persimmon, black soot

shoes and sash edge - black soot

shading - pumice stone

pre order news...

Good morning everyone hows your week going so far...its nearly the weekend so keep your chin up if your having a rubbish one...I wanted to pop on to show you these gorgeous new Little Circus Moscow Magnolias that are on pre order at Bunny Zoe's Craft, there is also new Doohickeys to choose from too...pop on over there are so many gorgeous ones to choose from...I will speak to you all tomorrow

Mina xxx

tree gathering...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well, yes I'm back finally, did you think I was stuck on my craft room floor lol, my hip is all better a bit stiff but at least I can sit and colour for a little while...yyyyyaaaayyyyyyy...I haven't been out much or even done much this week, see that's what you get for being a klutz isn't it, you get stuck on the house while everyone else is out enjoying that start of the festive season...I went out yesterday afternoon for a little mooch around and was gobsmacked at how many places have their Christmas decorations up, mind I haven't seen one in a house window yet...have you?...well what you been up to while I have been hibernating...anything exciting?...oh btw has anyone seen Gravity yet?, I would love to know if its worth going to the cinema to see...right now onto my card for today this fabulous little Edwin is from the new Winter Wonderland Magnolia collection, this is the so so cute Christmas Eve Edwin...I coloured him with my distress inks and used papers and a tag from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...this is such a lush pad isn't it, just perfect for all those traditional feeling cards...I added a stamped sentiment from the C.C. Designs Naughty Or Nice Sentiments set, the stamped snowflakes I used by masking off Edwin are from the same set too...a lush bow made from some Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy, a few buttons from the Primary - 25g button bag and finished with a couple of snowflake charms from the 5 x Snowflake 6 Charms (B024-W) bag...everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Tilda's Town Challenge (my favourite Magnolia stamp is always the newest one) and the Sister Act Card Challenge too...I think Phil is baking cakes today as my lovely Dad loves Dundee cake but hates the ones in the shops and will only eat Phil's...I must admit he makes the best boozy creole Christmas cake ever, its so rich you can heat it up and eat it with cream like Christmas pudding...its scrummy...right I have made myself hungry now so I'm off for some toast lol...whatever your up to today have fun and watch out for those lethal stairs the last step is a big one lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dungarees - pumice stone

sweater, buttons, star and hat - barn door

tree - peeled paint, frayed burlap

shoes - black soot

shading - pumice stone

oops...now how did I do that...

Good afternoon everyone hows your weekend been, I'm a bit late today as oops I forgot to press the button to schedule my post instead it was in draft form...duh lol...first things first my Neice had a baby boy, he is ssssooooooo gorgeous but will probably be a few months old before I get a hug as they live in England...it has been chucking it down here all weekend, Phil was away at the motorbike racing but it was rained off and he came home earlier than expected but my Dad and I went out yesterday morning to get the baby a little gift and of course I couldn't resist the baby clothes and had to get him a few outfits, now who on earth can resist baby clothes...we were supposed to go into town but the rain was so heavy and running down the streets so we didn't bother, its hard for my Dad as he walks very slow with two crutches by the time we just get from the car to a shop door the poor fella is drenched and with the wind an umbrella wouldn't have worked...but hes off to England today to meet his first grandchild so hes looking forward to that, I so wish I was going too...right now onto my card for today...how stunning is this new Magnolia stamp...shes the beautiful Winter Wonderland - Peaceful Tilda, I stamped her in soft grey this time for a softer look (what do you think?, did it work) but still coloured her with my distress inks I paper pieced her dress and glittered her up using Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...the lush papers are from the Kaisercraft - Miss Empire 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, gorgeous muted colours isn't it...I added a sentiment from the paper pad, a lush Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide), a scattering of 4mm Flat backed Pearls - Cream and finished with a Prima flower...everything I used on my card today came from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is an old one from Mojo Monday and I'm entering it for the Ribbon Girls Magnolia Challenge, Tilda's Town Challenge, Craftyhands Challenge and the My Creative Moments Challenge too...what you up to today, we are having a lazy one just watching tv and surfing for me I guess so nothing exciting...whatever your up to have a dry one

Mina xxx

distress ink colour used

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

hair - gathered twigs, antique linen

basket - frayed burlap

candle and flame - antique linen, scattered straw, ripe persimmon

shading - pumice stone

christmas outfit sorted...

Good morning everyone...I need a little bit of advice, my Daughters cat isn't eating very well, she has hardly eaten half a bowl full of food since she arrived...any ideas how to tempt her...I have tried her favourite things like ham but she isn't having any of it...I reckon she is missing her owners even after all the fussing she is getting from us...should I be worried or will she eat when shes good and ready?...I didn't do any crafting at all yesterday, I had a little play of some things like cutting out stuff but didn't really get down to any card making etc...in fact I even cooked instead of crafting...I know shock horror eh, imagine cooking instead of crafting lol...I'm sure that urge will pass real soon though...right now onto my card for today...I love this fabulous little fella and he just goes to show you don't need to colour him black, let your imagination go wild or do what I did and colour some bits paper piece him a lush Christmas outfit...this is the fabulous new Edwin With Derby hat from the Little London collection ...hes great isn't he and look so dapper in his festive suit and hat...I coloured him with distress inks and the papers I used for the piecing and card are from the stunning new Echo Park - Reflections Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad...I cut some of the checked paper into holly leaves and used a sprinkling of red buttons (some from the Big Red - 25g bag) to finish...everything but a few of the buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge the Marvelous Magnolia Challenge and the Dream Valley Challenge too...I'm off out today I'm a little fed up babysitting (or should that be cat sitting) and need some fresh air I think, I'm sure the cat will be fine for a while without me fussing over her (although Phil is just as bad as me lol)...so I'm heading to Town with my lovely Dad for a little bit of retail therapy and get some things I have put off until I made a trip into town if you know what I mean...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and any advice about the cat would be greatly appreciated
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

shoes - black soot

cane - frayed burlap

shading on piecing - pumice stone

shading around image - pumice stone

at long last...

Good morning everyone and yes I finally made it...well the internet started working ok about 8ish last night but I think it wasn't a good idea posting at that time so you will have to wait a bit longer for the holiday photos...are you gutted?, yeah right lol...well my MRI scan was 100% worse than I thought it would be, considering I feel uncomfortable in a lift I should have maybe ticked the box on the safety form that said 'do you suffer from claustrophobia' but I don't really I just don't like closed spaces or is that the same thing do you think...I am shall we say a bit ample on the chest department and when I lie down its the part of me that is the highest so they were touching the top of the machine and as soon as I got inside my breathing went funny but with the help of some advice from the nurse I controlled it and managed the 30 minuets inside without screaming my head off, which could easily of happened, mind I was shaking like a leaf when I got out, I could hardly hold the water they gave me, that really isn't made for people of my proportions lol...I really wouldn't want to do that anymore than once in my life thank you very much...Phil's face when I walked out was priceless though lol, he took one look at me and said 'omg are you ok'...I'm fine though and its over so just have to wait for the results now...I will report back...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month was our lovely Tracy's choice and she chose Something Blue...I chose to use this stunning Whiff Of Joy Girls Rule (A480) stamp for my card..she has the most amazing hair and its a joy to colour...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and teamed her up with this stunning double sided Magnolia Blue Vintage Hydrangea 12" x 12" Paper...lush isn't it and perfect for the challenge...I added a fab bow made from some Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) and some beautiful swirls from the Prima Say It In Crystals Mini Swirls - Divine set...everything I used today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin' Challenge and the Paper Creator's Challenge too...I'm going to have a relaxing crafting day today and catch up on our holiday washing I think, well I cant avoid it forever can I...whatever your up to today have fun and if you get a chance pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog and take a peek at the rest of our fab teams makes...oh and btw we will be starting a new Guest DT call on Wednesday so I hope you will all go for it...bye for now

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

top - milled lavendar, faded jeans

heans - pumice stone

hair plaits - faded jeans

Im not letting go just yet...

Good morning everyone how has your week gone?...anything exciting happened?...mine seems to have flown by in a flurry of washing and ironing lol...a little rant now, are you ready...why on earth do some able bodied people insist on parking in disabled places...its not just inconsiderate but harmful, they are put there for people who cant walk far and need to be closer to shops so why oh why would someone who is quite capable of walking insist on parking in them...I really hope with all my heart they never need them but just once it would be nice to see them get their comeuppance..the stores never seem to have any power to do anything about them either...I was in Florida once and remember seeing a young man pull into a disabled spot and run into a mall only to return to find a sheriff standing guard while his car was hitched to a pick up to be towed away...now that's justice and I had the awful urge from my hotel window to shout 'revenge is sweet' lol, but I didn't...we have to keep the old British reserve going don't we, the reason I mentioned it was the other day I saw a young man and woman pull into a disabled spot, music pumping, she ran inside the store while he proceeded to stand outside his car smoking and wandering around it looking at the paint work...aaaaahhhhhhhhh it makes me so mad...ok little rant over...well it was just a little one today so you can come out from behind your seats the coast it clear lol....right now onto my card for today, I love this Snorkle Boy image from Mo's Digital Pencil don't you...it just screams summer don't you think and I'm refusing to let go of the summer just yet...I coloured him with my usual distress inks and when I saw him I knew exactly what paper I would use for him, it just had to be this lush Magnolia Mythical Ocean 12" x 12" Paper from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...isn't it fab I love Magnolia papers they are great for distressing as it doesn't matter how much you sand or scratch they still look fantastic...I added a glittery swim sentiment made from some letters I found in my stash and finished with buttons from my stash to look like more bubbles...the lush sketch is from the Seems A Little Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Shopping Our Stash Challenge and the Party Time Tuesdays Challenge too...I'm off to pack today so wish me luck lol, I have a special something to show you tomorrow, a brand new release blog hop and I have a card to show you on Sunday then I'm taking a few days off while I'm away to give the old mojo a boost...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

swimsuit - milled lavender, faded jeans

flippers and snorkle - faded jeans, milled lavender

bubbles - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

explore tomorrow...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fab weekend?...wow what a change in the weather, it was very chilly last night...in fact so much that the old bed socks reared their ugly head...I thought we had seen the last of those for at least another month lol, oh and an extra blanket went onto the bed too...before long the fire will have to be lit again and the daily choir of cleaning it out will have to be done...I'm sure some people manage to clean out fire grates without getting ash everywhere but it seemed to be a bit above my competency level...we had a nice weekend despite the chilly wet weather and poor Phil having to go into work on both Saturday and Sunday morning and the weekend finished off with a tea party yesterday evening for my beautiful Niece's birthday...she is such a little cutie and did a little girlie squealing dance when she opened her presents...especially for the handbag and make up our stunning Daughter bought her...it was also my Nephews birthday a few weeks ago so we celebrated that too...they are such lovely kids and my Sister should be very proud of them...one thing yesterday did show though was our deck needs cleaned and resurfaced as my poor little Niece slipped and came down with such a crash we thought she had broken her arm...I hate that sick queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when something like that happens don't you, but like the little trooper she is she bounced back and was running around again in a few minuets...it was a good day despite the fall though...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and this month was our fab Silvie's choice and she chose to do a Bingo card for us to follow...I chose Ribbons, flowers and buttons for mine and used this fantastic new stamp from the brand spanking new Magnolia Sea Breeze collection...this is the super cute Handy Tilda coloured with my distress inks and paper pieced with some of the lush Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Far & Away, one of the new ones I bought and wow do I love love love this pad you will be seeing a lot more of this one I'm sure...I added some cream satin ribbon from my stash and a bow made from Organza Ribbon - Ivory (25mm Wide) and finished with a few scattered buttons from the Camouflage - 25g and Big Red - 25g button bags and a couple of coffee coloured cabochons from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag...the sentiment tags are from the same paper pad and everything except the satin ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Delightful Challenges challenge and the Lovely Hanglar or Sweet Magnolia challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today so will be locked in my nice toasty warm craft room...whatever your up to today have a lovely warm one and watch out for slippy decking

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

buttons, handle and headband - barn door, pumice stone

shoes and shading - pumice stone

back with a flourish of pink and white...

Good morning everyone did you miss me?...did you notice I was gone lol...well I'm back from our little break, we had a fantastic time and would you believe only had one day of rain...wow is that some kind of record I wonder lol...well what did you all get up too in my absence? anything exciting or spectacular, go on spill the bean.  County Wexford is one of Ireland's most stunning counties I think...its very like Devon and lots to do and see too...and strawberries everywhere you look in fact after a six hour epic car journey down there when we arrived we couldn't drive to our hotel as the annual Strawberry festival was in its last throws and the finish was in full swing right beside the hotel but with a bit of canny Galaxy tablet GPS manoeuvring we finally managed to get to the car park and find a space dumped our bags and headed to the celebrations...brilliant street market with food, music and celebrations...I was a bit miffed Phil wouldn't let me get my face painted but we enjoyed it anyway lol...when we finally crashed into bed that night despite a couple of hotel disappointments which I will tell you about tomorrow we were shattered but content...I have loads and loads of photos but will only put you through a few I think you will like so don't panic lol...right now enough waffling and onto my card for today which is for our new monthly Challenge at Bunny Zoe's...this month the theme is Pink and White, I love this colour combo don't you...for my card I used this oh so gorgeous stamp from the Magnolia Special Moments collection she's called Tilda with Little Hat isn't she so so sweet (shes on sale atm too)...shes coloured with distress inks I masked her up and stamped a frame from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Miss Empire Frames set and cut them both out, the sentiment I used on on of the tags is from the same stamp set too, the lush papers and tags are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories...I added a white satin ribbon bow and finished with a gorgeous flower from the Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Almanac pack and a scattering of Flat Backed Pearls...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the No Matter Which Challenge, Addicted to Stamps Challenge and The Ribbon Girl Challenge too...when I went into my craft room last night to make a couple of cards for this week the images I had pre coloured before going away had been sitting in the sun and were so faded I could harder see them duh lol...so its back to the drawing board...I might not have a card made for tomorrow but if I haven't I will probably bore you to bits with some holiday photos and some tales so be warned lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to enjoy some sunshine

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot

dress, hat and gloves - spun sugar, black soot

shading - pumice stone

flowers and leaves on frame - spun sugar, victorian velvet, peeled paint, shabby shutters

Happy Birthday cheeky...

Good morning everyone are you all looking forward to your weekend? anything exciting planned?...I learnt a good lesson yesterday walking up the stairs I spotted a sliver of black ribbon I must have dropped and picked it up to put in the bin, I don't know who was the most shocked but I know who screamed as the spider wriggled in my fingers...it went one way and I ran the other lol...lesson learnt?...wear your glasses at all times lol...uuuurrrrrgggghhhh just the thought makes me squirm...ick ick ick ick ICK...the worst thing is I didn't find it after I had settled down either, so there's a terrified spider lurking in the dark somewhere needing a tiny spider therapist and waiting to get its revenge...my card for today is just a little bit 'cheeky' (sorry I couldn't resist the pun lol)...this is the cutest little Magnolia stamp called Bonny Tilda from the Magnolia With Love collection...I coloured this cutie with my usual distress inks and glittered her wings with the same glitter I used for these fabulous butterflies from the Wooden Flourish range, these are the Magical Butterflies FL341 ones and the glitter glue is the Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...the lush paper is also Magnolia and is called Magnolia Blue Flowers 12" x 12" Paper, isn't it just so pretty...I finished with a ceramic sentiment and some lush satin ribbon...everything except the ribbon and sentiment are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Stamp With Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...I'm having a relaxing crafting day today as I don't think the rain will stop long enough to get any gardening done...I'm definitely a fair weather gardener lol...whatever your up to today remember to make sure you know what your picking up, it could be a nasty surprise...have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

bow - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

theres something about spots & stripes...

Good morning everyone are you having a nice week...how horrific was the Boston bombings, I despair of mankind sometimes, what reason could any organisation or terrorist have to bomb runners...the world has gone mad hasn't it?, my heart goes out to those bereaved and the injured and I wish there was some way I could gather them all up and tell them everything is going to be alright...I was sitting colouring yesterday in glorious sunshine, what a difference it makes but how strange is the weather at the moment...we had glorious sunshine all day yesterday and Phil spent hours in the garden when he came home planting loads of flowers and shallots and a creeping rose...it was lovely...then about 7pm a storm came in and the wind went up and we seemed to changed seasons completely...too weird...right now my card for today, I love love love this cutie from the new Magnolia Once Upon a Time collection...this is the fab Tilda as a Clown, I coloured her with my distress inks and paper pieced her outfit and hat with paper from the same pad as the spot and stripes paper I used for the card, there's something about spot and stripes together isn't there and they are perfect for a cute clown don't you think...the papers are from the Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad...this is such a fabulously bright and beautiful pad...I finished my card with a lush wired bow made from Organza Ribbon - Baby Blue (25mm Wide), and a white button...everything I used, except the button is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...brilliant news too Bunny Zoe's Crafts has a stamp sale on atm...the link is below just click on the picture...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge (M for Magnolia and Mina) and That Craft Place Challenge too...another busy busy day today getting loads of stuff ready...our holidays seem to be like operation list atm lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget about the Bunny Zoe's Crafts sale too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

shading on paper piecing and around image - pumice stone

daft as a brush...

Good morning everyone have you ever had one of those weeks when everything you do just makes you feel dafter and dafter?...I'm having one of those, first there was the blue streak at the doctors, then we were going to the chiropodist for my Dads appointment on Wednesday and neither of us could remember if the appointment was for 2.50pm or 3.10pm so I rang to check only to be told it was in fact for 2.50pm....on Tuesday...well duh how daft is that...then I got the dinner ready on Thursday settled down to catch up with some emails and an hour later was sitting wondering why no smell...I forgot to put it in the oven didnt I...I think there's weeks when you really shouldn't get out of bed don't you and they should definitely be forgotten lol...right now onto my card for today which is using one of the new Little Easter collection from Magnolia...this is the cute Happy Easter Tilda...I'm sorry though shes out of stock atm but there are some of the others from the same collection available...I coloured Tilda with distress inks and used some of the lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad...I love this pad and only have a couple of sheets left in it...I will be sad when its all used...I finished with a big ruffled satin ribbon bow and a few scattered butterflies from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack, they are so cute with their gem centres aren't they...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch I used is from the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge, I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Stamp & Create with Magnolia Challenge too...its Ears day today...yes the day is here at long last to go get my lovely Dads hearing aids fitted...I cant wait I'm ssssoooooo excited and if I'm like this my Dad must be whooping with joy although you wouldn't think so he was kinda chilled out at the supermarket yesterday...but then men don't get as excited about things as we do, do they...I will let you know how he gets on tomorrow and don't worry I have double checked his appointment card for date and time lol...whatever your up to today I hope your doing something as exciting as us

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

outfit - stormy sky, scattered straw, antique linen

shading - pumice stone

my first try at light ink colouring...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

it aint over till...

Good morning everyone, well how was your Christmas, any mishaps and was the jolly guy in the red suit good to you all...I hope so...well I'm back and creating after my little break, did you miss me...bet you didn't even notice I wasn't posting lol...we had a lovely Christmas quiet and just the four of us but I thought for a few minuets on Christmas morning we were going to spend the day in casualty...we (me and Phil) were standing in the kitchen and heard this massive thud, Phil looked out the window and yelled 'omg shes fallen'...our Daughter who was on the deck with her cat had slipped and fallen, her other half was white with shock as her long hair came forward and she had landed so close to a wooden bench her hair was resting on it, he thought she had smashed her face into the bench, well we all did...phew luckily though the only real things besides from a few bruises and scrapes was a very very dirty pair of new Christmas pj's which were easily sorted out...well it certainly made sure we were all awake anyway but for a second or two I could have burst into tears just at the thought of what it could have been like...shes terrible for breaking bones she has already had two broken wrists and a broken nose so like her Mum just a tad accident prone lol...everything else went without a hitch and my Sister and her lovely family, Dad, Daughter and her other half and us all spent the day after boxing day together...loved it and I might have just gone over the top a tad on the food front though...well I'm a Mum and its in my genes to feed isn't it lol...right now my first card since the holidays and I'm sorry but the Christmas aren't over just yet, I love making them don't you and who can blame me with a cutie like this to colour...this fabulous little scene stamp is from the Mulberry Wood collection and is called Merry & Bright...how cute is that elephant...I used my usual distress inks and some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust the lush paper is Magnolia Holly Script 12" x 12" Paper backed with some plain red cardstock and I finished with a tag cut from the the name strip of the paper and some lush green ribbon, everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and loads on sale too...the fab sketch is from Stampin' Royalty challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Cute Card Thursday challenge too...well I'm off to hit the Next sale today to spend some gift cards I got in my stocking...wish me luck, I hate sales but have to see whats on offer lol...whatever your up to today have a lovely day and I hope you find some bargains too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

shading in sky and elephant - pumice stone, spun sugar

snowflakes - stormy sky

trees - crushed olive, shabby shutters

mouse - antique linen, victorian velvet

envelope - antique linen

outfit and mouses scarf - barn door