Joy...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having fun this weekend...what you up too anything special...we went to see our beautiful Daughters choir she is in this weekend, they were singing carols and Christmas songs and wow I was mighty impressed, they are amazing...she joined a couple of months back and has so enjoyed practice and she looked in her element singing her heart out...it brought back a lot of wonderful memories as she was in choirs all through her school days and I went every Christmas to see them sing...I must admit I shed a few tears too...I know I'm a soppy sod lol...we had to nip to the supermarket yesterday as we ran out of tea bags and omg I think they were giving food away the huge car park was full to the brim and people were loading the hugest trolleys to the brim...we grabbed the tea bags and ran lol...right now onto my card for today which thankfully didn't have any arguments with any liquid lol...this is the stunning Winter Fairy Manty from who else but Mo's Digital Pencil...you just know Mo drew this look at that face and chubby little legs...I coloured him with distress inks and glittered him with Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust well there's wings and ice isn't there so who needs more excuse than that to use glitter...the amazingly lush papers are from the My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 paper pad and the banner I cut from another piece of the pad...I bought this last Christmas from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the papers are so unusual aren't they and I love the way the sentiment is printed on it...I finished with a bow made from Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide), a button from my stash, another of my bargain frames and finished with a red rose from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy...I made the sketch up around the paper design but I'm entering this for the 4 Crafty Girls Challenge, Crafty Calender Challenge and the A Creative Romance Challenge too...we are having a wrapping, baking and tv day today, well hopefully anyway that's the plan...whatever your up to today I hope you have some relaxing time in amongst all the mayhem

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

outfit - tumbled glass, fired earth, peeled paint, shabby shutters

branches - shabby shutters, peeled paint

its all about the paper...

Good morning everyone how was your weekend?...good I hope...after the happenings of Friday, Saturday wasn't too bad but Sunday wasn't good when a friend of our Daughters was rushed to intensive care and we had to pick her up from the hospital...poor lamb and I'm hoping and wishing he will recover fast, my heart goes out to his family...so its fingers crossed for this week to go ok I think...thank goodness Phil seems a bit better but woke up yesterday with a stinking head cold bless him, maybe that's what the really bad headache's were about, that coming on...he has been told in no uncertain terms to keep it to himself lol...I will have to keep him away from my lovely Dad too the last thing he needs is a chest infection as hes really prone to them and it worries me sick when he gets one...I don't think we were the only ones having a bad weekend though, we called into a local store to get me some hairspray and in the middle of shopping a child let out the most blood curdling scream I have ever heard, it made everyone stop what they were doing and spin around...and why?...no sweets lol...the parents were mortified....right now onto my card for today...yes I have a card to show you and one for tomorrow and one for Wednesday made too...will wonders never cease lol...this little stunner is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, now who else would draw this so beautifully...shes called Gathering Kindling and I coloured her in monochrome tones using my distress inks...I wanted to give her a sepia photo feel...what do you think did it work?...I found a stack of Christmas pads in my stash, long forgotten and stashed for a rainy day...this paper is from one I bought last Christmas from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and is My Mind's Eye - 6x6 paper pad All is Bright...I have decided to get back to basics for my mojos sake and go with an all about the papers theme...you will see what I mean over the next week or so...I started crafting because of my love of stunning paper pads and want to rekindle that love...this is just one sheet of paper would you believe all the layers are printed on it...beautiful isn't it?...all I added to finish was a strip of vintage lace and a Prima flower from my stash, I think its all that was needed don't you...I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to make the cards I have seen around that have loads of embellishments on them then realised I don't have too I can just make 'my' cards cant I...silly mare that I am lol...there is no sketch as the layers were done for me but I'm entering this for the Our Creative Corner challenge, My Creative Moments Challenge and the Brown Sugar Challenge too...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today but am hoping it doesn't include hospitals, doctors surgeries or anything medical and am keeping my head down just in case lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a safe and well one for you and those you love

Mina xxx
p.s. did you enter my candy yet...its the post below if you would like to join in

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

coat - antique linen

jacket - scattered straw

skirt - old paper

boots and basket - frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

aaaaacccccchhhhhooooooo.....

Good afternoon everyone at long last I have managed to do my post...my poor little laptop had a virus bless it...my galaxy tablet was fine but I couldn't post my pictures on there as they were saved on my laptop...so after a lot of checking and scanning and rescanning I think I have got it so fingers crossed everything works ok now...phew right start again...did you all have a fabulous weekend and do something exciting?...we were supposed to do the long put off trip to Ikea on Saturday but sods law Phil got called into work and spent the whole day there....so part two we decided we would go on Sunday but I couldn't ask Phil to spend his only day off trekking through a shop now could I...so instead we had a chill day but did manage a detour while we were out for coffee to buy a few new plants for the garden (you can always find somewhere that sells plants cant you lol)...right now I better get on with my card hadn't I before this goes kaput again even though all my bits are crossed for it not too...I used this fantastic Mo's Digital Pencil image for my card today...I love the look on her face don't you it always makes me smile...shes called Bad Hair Day and she reminds me of when our Daughter trimmed her fringe when she was about 12...it was as short as her fringe and just as spiky lol...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her dress (any excuse for cutting out lol),,,the fabulous papers I used and the sentiment tag are from the My Minds Eye - Oxford Lane 6x6 pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in it don't you...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering it for the Brown Sugar Challenge, and the Alphabet Challenge  too...I'm off to make dinner for tonight now as my lovely Dad is coming for it...it has been fantastic catching up with him this weekend, then maybe a little bit of sun while it last as its meant to be stormy this week...oh no out comes the umbrellas again its a good thing we kept them close by lol...have a fantastic day everyone and watch out for those virus's floating around they are little devils

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

shoes - faded jeans

trim on dress & scissors - faded jeans

shading - pumice stone

hop hop hopping along...

Good morning everyone are you all melting in this heat...I love it don't you...although its the great British pastime having a good old moan about the weather isn't it, I stood in the supermarket the other day listening to people moaning "its too hot", "I'm sick of this heat aren't you" and was thinking it was just a few weeks ago the same people were moaning about the cold and rain...poor Mother nature just cant win can she lol...anyway are you enjoying our new Summer Adorables blog hop...aren't they just stunning and like all the adorables they are a dream to colour, they are on sale now at Funky Kits bet you don't just get one...if your on the hop you should have arrived here from the fabulous

FIONA'S

blog and if you would like to join in from the beginning just pop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog to join in...oh and don't forget your comments on our blogs for a chance to win some goodies...you don't want to miss that chance do you

I got to colour the stunning Summer Smiles for my card...beautiful isn't she?...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used papers from the gorgeous My Mind's Eye - Oxford Lane 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a smile cardboard sentiment from my stash, some buttons and cut some glasses from the paper pad for an embellishment...the next stop on the hop is the lovely

JANE

who has a stunner of a card to show you...isnt it amazing how you can give a group the same images and they come up with so many beautiful original makes

 

enjoy the rest of the hop, dont forget your comments and enjoy the sunshine this weekend but be careful and don't burn, theres nothing worse than sunburn in the heat is there...have a good one

Mina xxx

 

challenges entered

Feeling Sketchy Challenge

Can you digi it Challenge

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge

Dance in the rain...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having an excellent week and are doing loads of fun things while I'm away...give me the gossip so I can read it when I get back...well well look at me wifiying it up in our hotel...yes its the real me, Wexford is stunningly beautiful, lushly green and loads of thatched cottages we are loving it, we have been out and about and taken loads of fab photos to show you all when we get back...it poured from the heavens yesterday just as we were getting out the car and this gorgeous bronzed little old man toodled over to me saying , these are for you mrs, too make you smile` and pressed two toffees into my hand...how lovely was that and needless to say it made me grin ear to ear...right now enough irish gossip and on to my card for today...I chose this stunningly beautiful Princess from the C.C. Designs Sweet November Princesses stamp set...I have so enjoyed colouring and paper piecing these beautiful little sweeties...I coloured it with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her skirt using the lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oxford Lane 6x6 Pad...aren't these papers just sssssoooooo fabulous...I love the colours...I added some of the cutest little flat backed pearls from the 3mm Mixed Colours Flat backed Pearls pack and a gorgeously coloured yellow bow made from Organza Ribbon - Sunflower (25mm Wide)...I based today's sketch on one from Mojo Monday I think...sorry the old memory is rusting up lol...everything for today's card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...well our holiday is half way now and I hope we have managed not to use the umbrellas we took with us but not banking on it lol...whatever your up to today have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

dress bodice - scattered straw, pumice stone

eyes - stormy sky

crown - scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

Princess Mina...

Good morning everyone how you all doing?...I managed a few hours out yesterday (even though Phil said I shouldn't lol)...well I was in need of a put the world to rights coffee with my lovely Dad...he's off on his travels in a couple of weeks so I couldn't miss a coffee with him could I...a little mooch around the supermarket too...is it just me but how annoying is it when people stop to chat and stand across the aisle with their trolley as if they were the only people who mattered...and then have the nerve to tut at you when you ask them to move, very politely I may add too...I did say 'excuse me' not 'get out of my way you ignorant people', even though I felt like saying that lol...never mind though I think my Dad let them know by saying very loudly 'some people are so considerate aren't they' very sarcastically lol...he has a wicked sense of humour sometimes...right now onto my card for today...how freaky is this...the little cutie I used today is from the C.C. Designs Sweet November Princesses stamp set (it's fantastic value considering there are four full stamps in the set) and her name is Williamina...isn't that strange as my name isn't a common one is it...and its spelt the same too...even freakier considering my name was made up of my Mum and Dads friends names William and Ina...so there you go there's two of us, so I have nicknamed her Mina lol...I used my distress inks to colours her and teamed her up with some stunning papers from my almost empty My Mind's Eye 6x6 Bluebell paper pad (its out of stock but there are loads of brand new My Mind's Eye pads been added lately to pick from) and finished with a bow made from the beautiful Organza Ribbon - Baby Blue (25mm Wide), a scattering of different size Flat backed pearls and a couple of flowers from the Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Song Bird pack...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge and the Bearly Mine Challenge too...I'm having a chilling kind of day today but hopefully with a little bit of crafting...oh by the way did you all enter for my little candy yet?...if not its the post below this one...whatever your up too today I hope you have a fabulously sunny bright one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

crown - scattered straw

dress - Iced Spruce, scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

tears of joy...

Good morning everyone...oh no the return of the snow demon has arrived here...would you believe  it caused over 250,000 houses to be without electricity in Northern Ireland...just what you need with sub zero temperatures isn't it, to not be able to put your heating on...but despite the shivering snow we headed off to get my Dads hearing aids...the audiologist is lovely...she is not only so patient and spent time explaining everything in detail buts shes beautiful too...long dark hair and stunning eyes...yes I know makes you sick doesn't it lol, shes totally smitten with my Dad too and seemed as thrilled as us about him being able to hear again...all the preliminary tests done she switched my Dads aids on...his face was such a picture as soon as she spoke to him...he turned to me and said 'omg I can hear'...well being the soppy bugger I am the tears just sprung up...I will never ever forget that look of joy on his face ever...he was so excited to be able to turn his back on us and still hear what we said and thats at the lowest setting there's another four levels he can go to...we took him for coffee after we were finished and to see him looking around hearing sounds coming from here and there and him turning his head to see where they came from was amazing...the girl behind the counter emptied the grounds from the machine and he nearly jumped out of his skin lol...the most amazing thing was when I got home though...he rang me...now phone calls have been pretty frustrating over the last few years and were shouting matches really for us to be heard...I sat on the phone for ten minutes to him chatting away at a normal level and he heard every single word and he was super chuffed that he could watch the tv without needing subtitles...isn't technology amazing to give so much back to someone you love...I have my Dads Birthday card to show you today...maybe not the best card I have ever made but I made it with him in mind...he loves blue so it had to have blue and hes not really bowled over by coloured images so I kept it pretty simple and let the My Mind's Eye-Oliver 6x6 papers shine instead, I bought this from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...right I'm off out to test more hearing things for my Dad today...cant wait...whatever your up to have a fantastic one

Mina xxx

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

a breath of Summer...

Good morning everyone have you anything exciting planned...its that season again the motor bike racing has started and Phil is off on one of his marshaling expeditions, I don't mind though at least I get to see him all week now hes home so don't begrudge him his days and weekends away in racing season at all...anyway I need to go to the opticians again with my Dad to pick up his new glasses...ooooohhhh I must admit I'm dead excited about him getting his hearing aids next week though after years of him not being able to hear properly it will take some getting used to for him...the audiologist is excellent though and has said it will only be half power first and will be switched up over some weeks because it would be a shock to his system all at once, I was quite relieved when she said that...its bound to be wonderful for him because it had to have been so frustrating for him...at least I have a card to show you today I just didn't have time yesterday as I had a lot of DT stuff to do...I used another of Janey's Digi Designs images for my card today...how lush is this Lupin, I love using Jane's images they always remind me of summer don't they?...I coloured it with distress inks and teamed it up with some lush papers from a My Minds eye 6x6 Honey Cake paper pad...fab colours aren't they and a great contrast with the blue I think...I finished my card with some gorgeous organza ribbon and bow and a few buttons from my stash...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Digi Darla's Challenge and the Cute Card Thursday challenge too...I'm off to make pasta sauce for tonight's dinner as I never know what time Phil will arrive home from the racing so its good to have something fast on the go then I need a couple of layers of the old war paint before heading out with my lovely Dad...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fun filled one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

flowers - stormy sky, tumbled glass

leaves and stems - shabby shutters, crushed olive

its here at last...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a good week despite the snow and bad weather...isn't March supposed to be the start of spring...well I guess that slipped by a week past Sunday lol...well its here at long last, my lovely Dads 80th Birthday, I wont show you his card today as I think he should see it first don't you...he and my Sister came back last evening and they had a fantastic time at the hotel, he said he felt like a king even if he was shattered, he nodded off in front of my fire bless him lol...I just hope he likes our presents as much (ssssshhhhhhh saying nothing yet just in case of prying eyes lol)...I cant wait to see him today for his massive birthday hug though and then out for coffee before I tell him about his first present...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the new Bags of Fashion stamps from Sugar Nellie...this one is the beautiful Chelsea coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some lush papers from the My Mind's Eye-Oliver 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a stunning organza ribbon bow and a few flowers I bought ages ago from a craft sale at The Works...I love this fab Charisma Cardz challenge sketch don't you?...I love to mix shapes like this and think I have an OCD thingy for symmetry lol...I'm also entering this for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and the Addicted To Stamps Challenge too...I'm off to ring my Dad to make arrangements for today...isn't it strange how much Mum's love other people's birthday's except their own lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one with a little added sunshine

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eyes - stormy sky

hair - pumice stone

jacket - scattered straw, stormy sky

skirt - pumice stone, stormy sky, scattered straw

boots - pumice stone

bag - antique linen, stormy sky

Mum...

Good morning everyone are you all having a good week?...well the sunshine has gone, see I knew I shouldn't have jinxed it by talking about it, I made it run and hide lol...oh well March is just around the corner so hopefully spring is to...I don't usually make Mothers Day cards because it reminds me too much of my Mum...every single day I miss her and whenever anything good or bad happens she is still the first person I think to ring...even though I cant, I even talk to her all the time...how precious are our Mums we should cherish them every single day they are with us, sometimes life gets in the way and we don't tell the people we love how much they mean to us...so if your lucky enough to still have your Mum ring her or better still go see her and give her a hug...don't wait for Mother's Day because you never know how long the people we care for the most will be with us...ooooohhhh that sounds kinda sad but it isn't meant that way honestly...right now enough waffling onto my card for today, which surprise surprise is a Mothers Day card...now you would never have guessed that would you lol...the amazingly cute and gorgeous image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, Mo certainly has a way with faces doesn't she, look at the concentration on this little fellas face...he is called What To Draw and the paper is blank so you can add what you want to it, I used wordart to add the Mum...hes coloured with my usual distress inks and teamed him up with these lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the colours are brilliant for him don't you think?...I finished with some gorgeous narrow satin ribbon and bow and a couple of buttons...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Inky Chicks Challenge too...I'm off out today to a Doctors appointment...yuck I hate going to the Doctors, in fact I hate it more than the dentists...but it will give me an excuse for a quick mooch in town too so hey ho...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

top - scattered straw, antique linen

jeans - stormy sky

shoes - pumice stone, tumbled glass

paper - old paper, scattered straw

pens - shabby shutters, stormy sky, tumbled glass, scattered straw

just a heart or two...or three...

Good morning everyone how you all doing?...well I didn't get out at all yesterday because of the return of the klutz, I only fell down the stairs didnt I, which was painful enough but I bent some of my toes weirdly when I fell and spent the rest of the day limping and nursing a very bruised knee...omg sometimes I'm too dangerous to let out of bed lol...they aren't broken (well I hope they aren't) because I can bend them ok, I think I just wrenched them...ouch...point of that was though that I didn't get out so no shopping trip or coffee or anything...ok are you feeling sorry for me yet lol...ok enough feeling sorry for myself onto my card for today, this isn't a colour combo I would normally use but it works ok don't you think?...how stunningly beautiful is this image from Mo's Digital Pencil...perfect for any love card...this is the gorgeous Full Heart, I coloured her with distress inks and I have been playing around mixing some colours together to get different ones for this beauty, having loads of fun discovering what they look like together too...I teamed her up with these lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...that yellow really suits her don't you think...I finished with just a few more punched hearts (well you can never have too many hearts or butterflies I think lol), a lush cream coloured satin bow and a cream crinkly rose...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Card Makin Mamas challenge, Totally Gorjuss challenge and the Papertake Weekly Challenge too...Im going out today come hail, rain, shine or stairs lol...whatever your up to today watch out for those things that life puts in your way they are lethal lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dress and shoes - mix of scattered straw & antique linen, mix of

tumbled glass & shabby shutters

hearts - victorian velvet

leaves - shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

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

its all about the eyes...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

eyes - mix of shabby shutters & stormy sky

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

a touch too much...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and fully recovered from the holidays, have you started creating yet, I think I'm just starting to get back into the swing of things...but my colouring is just a tad off...it doesn't help when you decide on a crafting session and the bulb goes in your craft room, could I heck find another one and it was so dark yesterday...hence the just a tad too much antique linen on this poor cuties face...she looks a little jaundiced I think poor little thing lol...but I'm off to the shops today so a pack of light bulbs will be my first priority so normal colours should be resumed as soon as possible...poor Phil came home early from work yesterday as he wasn't feeling too well...which is a bit worrying as he is normally as healthy as a horse and doesn't ever catch anything...from what he was telling me it sounded like a migraine he had but I'm hoping its nothing else as hes doesn't do sick and makes a real fuss on the rare occasions he isn't feeling good lol...hes off to work today so hopefully hes feeling better but he did sleep an awful lot last night and theres loads of man flu going around too...keep your fingers crossed for him...oh and me of course lol...right now onto my poor little jaundiced sweetie for today...she is the gorgeous Whimsy Amy from Whimsy Stamps...isn't she cute, I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush coloured papers from the My Mind's Eye - Honey Cake 6x6 Pad...fab aren't they and perfect for her too...I finished with a stamped sentiment from the Morehead Acrylic Stamp Set - Blossom set, a few pearls and a stunning metal flower from Prima which I bought ages ago...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Creations challenge and the Divas by Design challenge too...I'm off out with my lovey Dad today everything is back to normal so its supermarket day...whatever your up to today I hope its more exciting than mine lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen (too much lol), frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

flowers - victorian velvet, shabby shutters

outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet, Iced spruce

balloon - spun sugar

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

Joy is...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a brilliant weekend...we did a little more shopping and still haven't reached the end of the list but are getting there and I enjoyed matching the gift with the person so much...we then popped to the supermarket for something for dinner...omg you would think they were giving food away, so so many people and so angry and busy, my Dad was telling me about a man the other day who thought he was in his way, keep in mind my Dad walks with two crutches and is severely disable, who kicked my Dad in the shins to get him out of his way and when confronted he said 'you shouldn't have been in my way'?????, then a woman actually ran over Phil's feet with her trolley, no excuse me or apology or anything, no smiles, no festive spirit at all...whatever happened to the joy of the Christmas season, if they are feeling grumpy and angry they could just remember that there is a lot of people out there much worse off, remember all those poor families from the Connecticut elementary school shooting, the devastation, all those in pain from the loss is unimaginable... or they could try to look at Christmas through a child's eyes, remember the joy they feel at Christmas and be just a little thankful for the family and loved ones they have and the things they have to be joyful about...I actually came out of the supermarket feeling angry and annoyed at those people for making me feel that way...apologies for the rant but its over, phew breath Mina lol...right now onto a much calmer nicer subject...my card for today is using this beautiful little boy and his dog, look at the joy in his face...he is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called Baron and Butch...I coloured this sweetie with distress inks and matched him up with this lush paper from My Minds Eye Winter Wonderland range, its called Christmas Trees and aren't the colours just lush, I think this image makes a perfect Christmas card for my Nephew who is into games, x box etc don't you...I finished with a sentiment and a few scattered buttons...the fab sketch is from Sketch N Stash but I was too late to join in so I'm entering it for the Joanna Sheen challenge , Totally Gorjuss challenge and the Here Comes the Boys Challenge...I'm going to do some gift wrapping and parcel wrapping today and a little bit of crafting I think...whatever your up to today remember the joy of the Season please and smile at a stranger and wish them a Merry Christmas...you never know it might make someones day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

jeans - stormy sky

sweater - iced spruce, shabby shutters

socks - pumice stone, shabby shutters

dog - pumice stone,antique linen

ball - shabby shutters

can you believe it...

Good morning everyone are you all well and busy this weekend...anything nice planned?...the heavens opened here yesterday so Dad decided to stay in Belfast for a while longer, plus my poor Sister was rear ended the other day when she was out shopping (her car not her of course) and I think she needs a bit of help with running around as her car will need fixed...good thing is no one was hurt just a few bumps and bruises, it could have been a lot worse, and the man who hit her admitted fault so it will all go through insurance...thank goodness...so I spent the day online shopping and crafting and doing a bit of tidying then when Phil got home from work we had to head to the supermarket then, I'm sure its not something you look forward too when your just in from work but it cant be helped, well he could always stop eating I suppose (yeah right lol)...we are meant to be heading for a car boot sale this morning but it depend if this rain ever stops as its tipping down and a bit miserable for walking round a boot sale, so fingers crossed...right now onto my card for today and yes your eyes don't deceive you its not a Christmas card, can you believe it...instead I used this little cutie stamp from Sugar Nellie, shes called Artist Betty, isn't she cute and perfect for a card for any little budding artist in your family...I coloured this cutie with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her little beret...the stunning papers are from the My Mind's Eye - A Happy Heart 6x6 Pad, lush colours aren't they, I bought this pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with some buttons, a distressed knotted ribbon and a distress flower...the fab sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge and I'm also entering it for the Bearly Mine Challenge (new thing is the stamp) and the Inky Impressions challenge (my old thing is the pad which I bought about 6 months ago)...right that's me for today I'm off to get the war paint on and make a final decision as to what to wear for Phil Christmas dinner tonight...wish me luck I need it lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - antique linen, victorian velevte

boots - spun sugar, victorian velvet

artists pallet - pumice stone, spun sugar, vitorian velvet, 

scattered straw, antique linen, fired brick

shock horror...

Good morning everyone...bbbbrrrrr its cold here I hope where you are your staying warm...ok now don't all faint at once but theres no colouring on my card today...I know shock horror lol...we went out for a little mooch yesterday and then shopping around the supermarket...but when we went to the checkout some daft woman had a hugely packed trolley had unpacked a few things onto the belt then decided to head off and do more shopping blocking everyone from checking out there too...some people are just so thoughtless arent they...well I wasn't going to put up with that and after about a minuet waiting for her to finish I repacked her trolley and moved it out of the way...she wasn't best pleased when she finally arrived back with her arms full of shopping but by then we were almost finished so shows how long she was...we decided over our 'put the world to rights' coffee session that people seem to lack empathy these days and don't give a thought for others...I would like to think I'm not like that, we were brought up to care about others and always to put ourselves in their place and think how we would we feel...you know what I should have done, hid her trolley but I wouldn't be that wicked would I lol...right now onto my card for today, I needed a quick card today and didn't want a coloured image on it so used these three fabulous bauble stamps from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove collection stamp set...they are gorgeous aren't they...I teamed them up with some lush papers from the My Mind's Eye The sweetest thing/Bluebell papers I love this paper pad the colours are lush and even work for Christmas...I finished with a couple of ribbons, a few pearls and a sentiment from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Twig & Berry Postmarks everything except the ribbon and pearls are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but I think a few of them are out of stock atm...the fab sketch is from the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Fab 'n' Funky Challenge too...we are heading out tonight its our Towns Christmas light switch on, its not a huge thing but its sort of the start of our Christmas together celebration and we will be putting our tree up tomorrow...ooooohhhhhhh so excited for Christmas, I feel like a kid again lol...whatever your up to today watch out for those ignorant shoppers lol
Mina xxx

Santa will be pleased...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I had every intention of getting ready early and heading into town but the best laid plans and all that...I got caught up with chores and doing a bit of surfing and tidying and before I knew it was 1pm so I headed for the shower and got dressed with the war paint on then Phil rang to say he was coming home early and did I need to go to the shops...so instead of my Christmas present shopping and mooch around the shops I ended up grocery shopping...exciting eh lol...oh well we did get something nice for dinner and had a little look around the supermarket and bought loads of Christmas food goodies (just to try out of course lol)...in fact we only went for bread and a couple of essentials and I ended up spending £30, that will teach me to go to the supermarket with a hungry man in tow wont it, its amazing what jumps into your trolley when you aren't looking...right now onto my card for today how stunningly beautiful is this Kenny K beauty...Santa will be pleased to find her waiting for him beside his sleigh wont he lol, she is called On Vixen I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with this amazing double sided paper from My Minds Eye Holly Jolly Collection...its called Candy Canes and is brilliant for this beauty isn't it...I finished with a stamped sentiment, I used part of the name band of the paper to stamp on and added some beautiful flowers, I cant remember what these are called but I know I bought them at Bunny Zoe's Crafts just before last Christmas...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday I love their sketches don't you, they always make me think about the design of the card, I'm also entering it for the Party Time Tuesdays challenge and Heart 2 Heart challenges too...my lovely Dad is back from Belfast today, I was texting my Sister yesterday and she said he had a fabulous weekend and has enjoyed his visit so I hope he is rested and happy...these coming weeks are very difficult for him, my Mums Birthday would have been the 25th and the anniversary of her passing is the 13th December...its a hard time for all of us but of course especially him, my heart goes out to him and I feel his pain...I'm sure we will be heading out for put the world to rights coffee so watch the headlines lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

 

distress ink colours used 

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

dress, boots and ears - antique linen, frayed burlap

lips and jingle band - barn door

eyes - stormy sky