nothing beats a christmas hug...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend, well we didn't get up to much yesterday just a quick visit to the supermarket for camera batteries is all...I'm keeping my head down for the foreseeable future lol...my hip is a little better today so I don't think I need xrays just a non klutz pair of feet and maybe a few more days rest...thank you all so so much for your sympathies and kind words yesterday they meant so so much to me, I think I was feeling a bit down and sorry for myself yesterday but chin up things have to be better now by the law of averages if nothing else lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...the theme this month is Shabby Chic/Vintage ...I always struggle with these themes as I'm never quiet sure what shabby chic means but I think my card is more vintage anyway...how cute is this gorgeous little Christmas image?, its from Whimsy Stamps and is called Little Jack and Bobbin Christmas...I know hes a boy but I think he would work perfectly for a little girls card too...I coloured this cutie with my distress inks and teamed it up with these stunning papers, tags, paper piecing and edging from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...lush papers arent they, embossed and glossy too, they are so gorgeous, I added a strip of Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy and a bow made with Organza Ribbon - Burgundy (25mm Wide)...the gorgeous cute flowers are from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy set and I finished with a snowflake charm from the Marianne D Winter Charms JU0871 pack and I stamped a sentiment from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Gingerbread stamp set...everything I used was from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Calendar challenge and Charisma Cardz challenge too...I think I will head out for coffee today and a catch up with my lovely Dad he always has a way of giving me a good shake lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant fun one
Mina xxx
oh and don't forget to enter the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy while your here too the link is at the top of my sidebar

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

hat - antique linen

berries and holly - barn door, shabby shutters

puppy - antique linen, frayed burlap

train set - antique linen, barn door

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

shading around image - antoque linen

installation failed...

Good morning everyone did you miss me, did you have a nice weekend, what did you get up too anything exciting?...I have had another few days of high temperatures and feeling like rubbish, I rang the Doc and he says its too be expected...well thanks for letting me know lol...oh well I will get there I'm sure...I couldn't resist showing you the image above it really tickled my fancy when I saw it on Facebook yesterday (if anyone knows where it comes from let me know so I can link to them please). Summer has definitely been cancelled here it has been freezing all weekend I think winter has come back...its raining, freezing cold and the wind has been howling like no ones business...please bring back the summer whoever has stashed it lol

I have missed crafting over the last few days but finally managed to make a card phew...I couldn't resist using this stunning little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil...shes called Baby Fairy Butterfly and I think she has the most beautiful little face don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and used some of the lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Elegance 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in this pad dont you...the little message tag is from the same pad too...I finished with a bow stashed from a box of chocolates someone bought me ages ago...see we crafters throw nothing away do we lol...I finished with a big pearl from the Mixed Bag of 5mm Flat backed Pearls also from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Hobby House challenge and the Crafty Catz Challenge too...I'm supposed to be getting my hair cut today keep your fingers crossed I'm well enough to go as the busted sofa look is beginning to get a bit scary lol...whatever your up to today I hope the weather is a bit better where you are and you can enjoy some sunshine

Mina xxx

p.s. I will be back a bit later with my candy winner

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

wongs and skirt - scattered straw, evergreen bough

flower - peeled paint, scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

fresh as a spring morning...

Good morning everyone, I'm back did you miss me then? lol...I'm refreshed and back to creating...I went into my craft room while Phil was at our Daughters fixing her lawn mower yesterday morning and before I knew it, it was 4pm, I missed the whole day and we didn't get to the garden centre at all oops...never mind though Phil's off today and it will probably be a bit quieter shopping today...sounds like a plan doesn't it?, but you know what we are like, plans are meant to be broken or at least bent...Phil did get loads of little jobs done around the house between making me cups of tea, so double result...I came out onto the decking later and all the pots from the shed are lined up ready to be filled...do you think he was hinting lol...we decided to fill them with loads of flowers of different colours for a cottage garden sorta look and we have a huge pot which I quite fancy a Japanese Maple for...to add some height and different texture...do any of you own one?, if you do what do they grow like in pots?...I wish I could find my garden encyclopedia, I haven't seen it since we moved...that's what happens when there's more than one person unpacking lol...right now onto my card for today, how bright and fresh is this beautiful Mo's Digital Pencil cutie...shes the beautiful April, only the super talented Mo could draw this stunner...I printed her a bit softer in grey, it looks quite pretty and faded doesn't she...I used my usual distress inks and some of the gorgeous bright papers from the Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad, its a beautifully colourful pad and perfect for spring or summer cards dont you think?...I finished with some pink string, a gorgeous bow made from Organza Ribbon - Sunflower (25mm Wide) and a Prima flower, the paper and ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge too...right I'm off to get ready for the garden centre...book, notes and lists in hand so I don't make any expensive mistakes or buy anything I cant pronounce lol...whatever your up to today I hope you can enjoy a lovely garden day too

Mina xxx

I so want these fabulous red glasses...

Good morning everyone are you having a lovely Easter week then, have you done anything exciting or are there some lucky one or two of you actually off to somewhere warm for the Easter break...if there is then tell us all so we can be green with envy...I would so love a week or two in the sun wouldn't you somewhere to warm my poor cold bones...well this is Phil's last day off work and hes back tomorrow, I will miss him but it will also be nice to get some me time if you know what I mean...well at least some me crafting time anyway lol...we were in town yesterday afternoon and stopped for lunch at a local coffee shop settled down with our paninis and coffee and on the next table were 5 twenty somethings...every single one of them was either on an iphone or tablet, fingers flipping like they were possessed hardly a word spoken between them...they finished and got up and I heard one girl say to the other...'I have really missed these coffees together haven't you' lol...seriously they could have just text, messaged or skyped (is there a plural of skype?) each other and saved on the coffee don't you think...whatever happened to the art of conversation...don't get me wrong I'm as addicted to technology as anyone else and post every day on here chatting away but given the choice of chatting to you all over coffee give me the coffee chat any day...right now onto my card for today...I so want these red glasses don't you...this cutie is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, now who else could draw this sweetie...this is the gorgeous Fabulous coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some of my last papers from the Teresa Collins Design Now and Then paper pad I bought it ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so I don't think its in stock atm though, I finished with some more of the lush Bunny Zoe's wired gingham ribbon this one is the Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy one, I also added a few flowers cut from a page from the same pad as an embellishment...the lush sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Sweet Stampin Challenge too...Phil's cooking tonight so we are heading to the shops to buy supplies for it today, I haven't a clue what hes making but as he cooks brilliantly I'm looking forward to it...have a fabulous day everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap

boots - frayed burlap

Please...

Good morning everyone...I hope your all well...do you believe in Karma?, you know what happens when you have a rant about people attitude to the weather?, well it jumps up and bites you on the butt lol...our heating has broken down aaaarrrggggghhhhh so I'm sitting her shivering and am cold to the core, do you know what I mean...you know when you get so cold you feel bone cold?...of course we have the open fire but that only heats one room so be very careful what you say because karma jumps up gives you a shake and slap you twice across the face lol... I sense someone with their thumbs in their ears wiggling their fingers saying na na na na na lol...so I have spent the morning running around and trying to get someone to fix it, but of course everyones heating has broken down at the same time...well fingers crossed it wont be off long...right my card for today...how adorable is this little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil...shes called Please, now who could not give her what she wanted lol...I coloured her with distress inks and used some lush new papers from the Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts (see I told you I bought a LOT of new pads didn't I)...I finished with a lush wired Organza ribbon bow and a few buttons from my stash (how cute is the cat one in the middle)...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for The Paper Shelter challenge and the Digi Stamp 4 Joy challenge too...sorry short post today as I'm off to get ready to go out, I'm certainly not sitting in here freezing my buns off, its colder inside that out I think...whatever your up to today watch out karma's about lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - tumbled glass

outfit - pumice stone, scattered straw, black soot. stormy sky

say one for me while your down there...

Good morning everyone how are you all...well and happy I hope...I wasn't being disrespectful in the title for this post, but this image always reminds me of my Mum, if she ever saw anyone on their knees for any reason she would always say 'say one for me while your down there' lol...I think that's why this cutie always makes me smile...well Phil turned out not to have the flu thank heavens...but...he went to work as normal yesterday and then was asked to go to his bosses office to be handed a piece of paper to sign and told he was working too hard and needed a rest and he had three days off to rest up so he wouldn't be burned out...they told him they couldn't afford to lose him from ill health...brilliant eh?...so he doesn't have go back to work until Tuesday...its nice to know wasn't just me thought he worked too hard and long over Christmas and that he's appreciated...although the poor man has spend most of last evening asleep so he must be pooped the poor lamb...well a bit of R&R and spoiling over the next few days should make him feel a bit better I think...right now onto my card for today and then a question for you all...this little sweetie is the beautiful Em Praying from Mo's Digital Pencil, now who else could draw this beauty and her cute rabbit...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Romance Novel from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm I think...I love the embellishments on these papers don't you...I finished with some tags from the same pad, a huge organza bow and a cream rose...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps Challenge and The Paper Shelter challenge too...right now for an question for you...do I post too often?, I would really appreciate your honesty as if I am that would explain why I'm plummeting down in the ratings?...maybe every one is fed up coming to the blog every day and I should cut back a bit...your opinions would be brilliant thanks...we are going to head out for a lovely walk in the country today followed by soup and sandwiches in the car, well its still a bit nippy for a picnic outside isnt it lol...whatever your up to todat have a brilliant one
Mina xxx
p.s. dont forget the Sugar Nellie blog hop tomorrow at 11am...loads of prizes and some lush new digis to show you all so speak to you then

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

nightdress - stormy sky, spun sugar

headband - Victorian velvet

rabbit - spun sugar, antique linen

chilly love...

Good morning everyone, I'm bright and early and on time today...thank you all so much for your comments yesterday they meant a lot to me and helped me get through a really difficult day...I spent the day cutting out papers and trying to colour, although even my colouring seems to have gone to pot lately...but its the same every year at this time so hopefully it will be in full swing next week...I was sitting quietly cutting out yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden there was a huge roaring noise...someone a few doors away had decided to get a motorbike out of his garage and was sitting revving it for no reason I could see...why on earth do people who own motorbikes sitting reving them, if any of you have them or knows someone with one could you ask me please I'm dying to know...I asked Phil but he says he doesn't know and maybe they just like the noise it makes lol...seems weird that a fully grown man would just sit there with no intention of riding off into the sunset and rev just because he likes the noise doesn't it lol...right now onto my card for today...how sweet and cute is this Pink Cat Studio stamp...its called Penguin Kisses (now what else could it be called)...it comes on a set with the mistletoe and a sentiment separate so is a good bargain...I coloured these two cuties with distress inks and glittered it up to add a bit of frosting...the lush paper is a Magnolia paper called Magnolia on Christmas Day...isn't it a lovely soft muted colour and the writing is perfect with this image...I finished my card with a huge wide pink ribbon (this is gift wrapping ribbon on a roll) and a Prima Flowers Primmers - Bleached White flower, everything I used except for the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the stamp and paper are on sale atm...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Emerald Faeries challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge...its supermarket shopping day today, well that's if my lovely Dad is back from his trip to Belfast that is...if not then it might be another crafting day...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx
p.s. today is the last day to join in with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy so if you havent already the link is at the top of the sidebar, just click on the photo

 

floodgates opened...

Good morning everyone I hope you have a fab weekend planned and don't have too much bad weather to stop your plans...we are planning on going to a Christmas continental market in town, fingers crossed there is no urgent calls from Phil's work to stop the plans...when I was colouring this cute little Magnolia stamp yesterday it just opened the floodgates to my memories of when our Daughter was small...its such an exciting time of year for little ones isn't it and I remember going to our Daughters Nativity play every year with a mixture of excitement and fear...would she remember the lines we had practised so hard, of course she always did and I loved all the home made costumes with the compulsory tea towels on the head of the Shepherds lol...all the girl had beautiful home made wings and tinsel covered halos...so beautiful and full of magic for everyone not just the children but the adults too...I remember holding Phil's hand and squeezing it because I thought I would pop with pride...loved it...oh I have a little shopping hint for you, go late night shopping because the shops are quiet and you can get most of your list sorted in one go, that's what we did last night, successful night except for the fact that I thought the skin was going to peel from my face it was so cold lol...right now onto my card for today...this little sweetie is from the Magnolia Nativity collection...isn't she just so adorable...shes called Tilda as Wiseman, I coloured her with distress inks and added a bit of glitter...the amazing papers are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Christmas Cottage pad I love this pad and it will work just perfectly after Christmas too and the sheet of numbers will be brilliant for Birthday cards, the stamp and pad are from Bunny Zoe's Cards and they are both an amazing price at 25% discount so get them while you can...I finished with a couple of bows and a Flower from Kars and a number from the same pad...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and Im also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge and The Ribbon Girl blog challenge...I'm off to get the old war paint on to go to the market, then out for coffee with my lovely Dad...there's nothing better than a coffee with the two handsome men in my life...whatever your up to today I hope you have fun

Mina xxx

p.s. did you see I have a Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy on atm, its the post below or click on the link in the sidebar to join in

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - antique linen, shabby shutters, pumice stone, barn door

trim is a merged mix of frayed burlap & Barn door 

oh no not yet please...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, my Christmas card production seems to be in full swing now, I love making cards at this time of year, Christmas has limitless possibilities for cards and it gives my mojo a massive list...although I'm sure I'm ready for the weather this fab stamp has...well not just yet anyway...we had a fabulous lunch yesterday, everyone catching up and giggling and laughing, I was watching my Daughter and Dad chatting sitting in the sun on the decking...they are so alike they were chatting away and laughing and it made me smile just watching them...isn't it amazing 52 years between them and get on so well and still laugh at the same daft jokes as they did when she was a child...it was defo a warm glow kinda moment...where we lived before my Dad would visit but not visit if you know what I mean...well lets put it this way hes been to the new house more times and for longer in the past six weeks than he has in the last year at our other house...he says he feels warm and comfortable here and loves the house so much...he did have one small criticism though, he would love it even more if it had a downstairs toilet so he didn't have to climb the stairs bless him...right now card time...this fabulous stamp is a Whimsy Stamp called Heidi...I love her spotty bows don't you...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used some of the lush brand new Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Joyeux Noel for her, I bought the stamp and pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the sentiment is on the paper already and I added some punched snowflakes to finish...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everyone challenge and the Stampalot Challenge too...I'm having a crafting morning this morning, Phil's off work today to cram for an exam he has tomorrow so I want to leave him in peace to study, hes been taking a part time course for his job so wish him luck for tomorrow, not that he needs my clever little man...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique ;inen, faryed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

all white shaded with pumice stone

all red is barn door

green - shabby shutters, peeled paint

massive hug...

Good morning everyone hows your weekend going?, I hope your having a brilliant one...hands up everyone who thought I wouldn't have a day off from the house?...well your sorta right lol...I did go shopping and bought some new red nail varnish, tried on shoes (didn't buy any) but couldn't find any clothes I wanted to brave the packed changing rooms to try on...then...off to buy paint for the house and drag poor Phil around a wallpaper shop...so I sorta didn't do anything in the house, well I did try to empty another bag but found out we have a hitchhiker, the downstairs bedroom has been our unpacking room so I went in to tackle some more and discovered when I moved a pile of cushions out flew one of the great big spiders we had at the old house, I dropped the bag on my leg and we ran in separate directions, Phil had a hunt but found nothing, my leg now has seven large lovely coloured bruises...I'm going to go on holiday looking like I just stepped out of a boxing ring at this rate...I told Phil I'm not emptying anything else from that room until he produces a body I can identify as Harry the Hitchhiker lol...right now onto my card for today, nobody else but Mo could produce this fantastic image could they, look at that massive hug she has for her Dad...how stunning is this Love You Daddy b image and perfect for a birthday for any lovely Dad...this is the ethnic version of the image so I did the skin darker, don't know if I managed it well enough though...I used my usual distress inks and teamed it up with these stunningly coloured papers from the Basicgrey Origins Collection called Relaxation...I finished with some brown gingham ribbon, a button and a glittery heart charm...the fabulous sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge...well I'm off to see if I can pick up some bargains at one of local garden centres today we need a few things to tidy up the front of the house and add a bit of interest...whatever your up to today watch out for any of Harry's big friends
Mina xxx
p.s. I will be back a bit later to announce the paper candy winner and tell you about my next candy so will speak to you then

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tea dye, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
girls outfit - shabby shutters, scattered straw
mans outfit - pumice stone, crushed olive, frayed burlap, shabby shutters
flowers - scattered straw, shabby shutters

HELP!...

Good morning everyone have you got anything fantastic planned for the weekend, I would love to know what your up to...Phil rang me yesterday afternoon to say he would be home early and did I fancy going to Town for coffee, aaaahhhhh I thought brilliant because I needed to get a Hello Kitty Birthday present for my Niece...so we were walking around Tesco looking for hello Kitty stuff (which we didn't find) and this stupid woman who was totally oblivious to everyone and everything else picked up her basket and whacked me on the arm with it so hard it almost knocked me over, how ignorant is that...she didn't even say sorry or even acknowledge I was there either...well that was until I said to her as she was walking away 'I'm so sorry was my arm in the way of your basket there' (I know a bit cheeky but she asked for it)...I now have a huge red welt on my arm and four bruises, that shows how hard she hit me doesn't it...why are some people ignorant like that, if I caught someone with my basket I would be gutted and so apologetic...where have all the simple good manners gone...I think it makes it worse too that she was of my generation and age, didn't her parents teach her manners...ok rant over now lol...onto my card for today, I love love love this image she looks so tired doesn't she...she is of course from Saturated Canary and is called Pack Light, I used my usual distress inks to colour her and these lush coloured papers from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Vintage Marketplace from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love this pack so much I might have to buy it again when its finished...I added some fantastic wooden letters and heart (I bought these in a pack for £1.99 from The Works...bargain) and finished with a pink satin ribbon and blue bow...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Inspirations challenge ...btw I did find a fab Hello Kitty teddy and a cute little umbrella for my Niece at another shop just in case you were worried lol...Im packing (yes that again lol) a bit more today so nothing exciting for us this weekend...whatever your up to this weekend, I hope its something exciting and fun
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
outfit - shabby shutters, pumice stone, worn lipstick
suitcases - pumice stone, worn lipstick, wild honey, broken china

watch out for headless chickens...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I decided enough is enough and its time to bite the bullet and start the clearing and packing (amazing how much rubbish you gather over 6 years isn't it), so bin bags, cleaning stuff and long duster in case of spiders in hand, I stood at the bottom of the stairs and the feeling of panic rose from my stomach to my chest...omg headless chicken act or what, I haven't a clue where or even how to start...any ideas?...my thinking was start at the top of the house (the attic) and work our way down but I cant figure out if that's a good idea or I'm just putting it off again as the attic is Phil's domain lol...so keep an eye out today for me running around doing my headless chicken act, if you see me catch me give me a good hard shake and say 'get on with it girl'...I'm so so pleased you all liked my first mood board, I'm loving that red and grey together even more every time I look at it...I only have another 8 or so rooms and a garden and decking to sort in my head now lol...right now onto my card for today...how gorgeous is this cute sweetie from Saturated Canary, shes called Krafty Kate and I bought her a while back but she got hidden in my huge digi files...I hate it when that happens don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with more of these luscious papers from the Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments 6x6 Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts ...I used a tag sentiment cut from the same pad and finished with some vintage seam binding and a yellow rose...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Ohh La La Creations challenge and My Mums Craft Shop challenge...I'm off out to the supermarket today with my lovely Dad, I will take him for coffee and get him to give me a talking too about starting the packing, he will sort me out lol...whatever your up to today don't forget to watch out for headless chickens lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - antique linen, spun sugar, Victorian velvet, frayed burlap
bunting - antique linen, spun sugar, Victorian velvet, frayed burlap

drip, drip, drip...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have a fabulous weekend planned...ok now enough is enough, whoever is in charge of the great tap in the sky we have had enough turn the sprinkler off or I will need to get a lot of wood and nails to build a crafters ark...is it ever going to stop?????...I hope its not too bad where you are and your all safe...our beautiful Daughter is off to a fancy dress party tonight but I managed to wriggle out of making her costume this time at least, I didnt want a last second dash around like for the ringmaster outfit (do you remember that)m shes going to a wild west themed party as a saloon girl and wow does she look amazing in her costume...oh how I wish I could look that good but then again she has some of her Mothers genes lol...are you up to anything exciting this weekend? oh go on tell me we have nothing planned at all and I love a little nosey lol...right now onto my card for today how gorgeous is this little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil shes called Carolina and I think she is so beautiful and those carrots are brilliant arent they...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with some gorgeous papers from the My Mind's Eye - Honey Cake 6x6 Pad, lush arent they and I finished with some fabulous green seam binding, a sentiment and a beautiful Prima flower from the Prima Flowers Charlotte - Snow, I love this set...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and Im also entering it for the Totally Papercrafts challenge and the Chocolate, Coffee & Cards challenge too...Im off to get the war paint on just in case we decide to do something exciting or unexpected, well you never know do you...whatever your up to today I hope you stay dry and warm
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique line, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
dungarees and flowers in hair - victorian velvet, spun sugar
carrotts - wild honey, spiced marmalade, bundled sage, shabby shutters
shading on basket and t-shirt - pumice stone

sleepy...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I'm shattered today our Daughter and her other half's flight from Amsterdam was delayed so it ended up it was the small hours of this morning that we finally got home and by the time the luggage was moved, stories were told and I fed them (well I'm a Mum and its my job lol) it was after 3am when I finally got to bed...so I'm a bit fuddle headed this morning and I don't want to see one of you say 'no change there then' lol, I don't mind waiting around in airports as I love people watching and wondering where they are rushing to or from and what their 'stories' are, too much imagination as my Mum used to say...my Dads home and looking wonderfully brown and well, he had a brilliant time and it turned out he was just to tired to go to England and is going in July instead...did you all enjoy the hop yesterday, how amazing was every ones work with the ethnic skin tones...right now enough waffle Mina, I think I need to go back to bed for a few hours so I will get on with it...my card for today is using this beautiful Saturated Canary image called To The Lake...isn't she gorgeous in these colours, I used distress inks to colour her and matched her up with this amazingly bright and gorgeous double sided paper from the Echo Park Summer Days collection called Scallops ...love these colours together don't you?...I finished with some pearls and Prima flowers...the little summer days tag is cut from the info strip from the paper, waste nothing remember lol...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge and Cute Card Thursday challenge too...right I'm off back to bed for a couple of hours then a bit of crafting I think, colouring for the soul will buck me up no end...whatever your up to today do it quietly so you don't wake me lol
Mina xxx
p.s. todays the last day to enter my candy...links on the top of the sidebar if you havent entered already go on, you never know you could win

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
eyes - tumbled glass
bikini - spiced marmalade
shorts - dusty concord
flip flops - spiced marmalade, dusty concord
ring - shabby shutters, scattered straw
toe nails and lips - fired brick

talk to the bear cause the face aint listening...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well, have any of you anything exciting planned for this long weekend, any parties or anything?...we are heading to Donegal on Saturday morning to visit one of our favourite places, Glenveagh National Park and instead of driving there and back we have decided to have a romantic break in a hotel in Letterkenny for a few days...I'm looking forward to it, Glenveagh is a stunning place it has such spectacular scenery and the gardens are stunning at this time of year...plus I got a real bargain break...oooohhhdon't you just love getting a bargain...I went for a little mooch in Town yesterday and found nothing but was quite sad that almost all of my favourite clothes shops have close over the last year and now two more stores have close, a sign of the times I guess but its very sad that our Town centres are going downhill so fast isn't it...I got my hair cut then out with Dad to get him some shopping for while we are away, back home and I even managed to get some crafting time before dinner...I love busy days like that don't you...right now onto my card for today...I love love love this sweetie from Mo's Digital Pencil, look at that face its so cute and funny isn't it, shes called Talk to the Bear and I coloured her with distress ink, these amazingly stunning papers are from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Vintage Marketplace pack I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts gorgeous isn't it and they are those fabric feel type of papers too, do you know what I mean sorta cotton like and rip brilliantly...I used some lush pink seam binding and a few cut out roses from the papers to finish...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...I'm off to make a couple of cards for while I'm away so you have something to look at when you come by and then sort out something to wear when we go out to dinner (I need a lot of luck with that job lol)...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and if anyone gets at you just tell them to 'talk to the bear' lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
top - broken china, shabby shutters
trousers - spun sugar, shabby shutters
shoes - shabby shutters, pumice stone
bear - pumice stone, spun sugar

p.s. theres a 10% off Bank Holiday Special starting lunchtime at 12pm today. This will run until Midnight Tuesday 5th June to celebrate the Jubilee, so pop on over and grab a bargain...just click on the logo below

Freaky weather and a bit of bling...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have a fab weekend planned...we went on our trip yesterday and got all our paperwork signed and sealed, its was bright sunshine all the way down and we were on our way back and were talking about the strange weather there had been in England with all the super cell storms and a hailstorm hit us, it wasn't even cold and these huge hailstone were bouncing off the car, it was one of those twilight moments when I expected to see a twister and be swept away to Oz but it stopped as quickly as it started and the strange thing was it was still sunshine...freaky eh...we stopped a couple of times on our way back and finally got home about 7pm...phew that was a long day as we left at 7.30am, poor Phil even had to stop on the way back as his foot had gone to sleep...we had chinese and watched the Immortals, I love greek mythology but I'm not quite sure which hollywood volume of greek mythology that film came out of as it sure wasn't a greek book lol...my card for today is using the stunningly beautiful Melissa image from Crafts and Me, how stunning is this vampire and her wolf...I coloured her with distress inks and added a bit of glitter (I know there's no wings but there is snow so glittered it was)...the gorgeous papers are a couple of loose ones from my stash and I think they are Basicgrey...I finished my card with some lace, more gingham ribbon (OI seem to have a thing for gingham ribbon atm dont I, and a stunning Prima gold glittered flower...the fabulous sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday...

for those who asked here a quick photo of the two blingy brooches I bought at the Antique fair last week...gorgeous aren't they...you can see why I was attracted cant you being half magpie lol...we are off out with my Dad today, well that's if I can get myself awake long enough, we are still shattered from yesterday...I will catch up with you all tonight on my hopping and whatever your up to watch out for the freaky hailstorms...oh and don't forget I have lush ribbon candy for you all tomorrow
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
clothes -tattered rose
shading and hair - pumice stone
trees - bundled sage
eyes and sky - stormy sky

Wow I made the 1500...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...wow you all seemed to love my button shaker card yesterday I had a fantastic number of comments and yes I passed the 1500 followers, thank you all so much you have no idea what your comments mean to me and I will catch up with you all tonight...so Sunday is candy day so keep an eye out for it...I had a super busy day yesterday and was so shattered last night I fell asleep mid commenting on someones blog, nothing to do with the blog as I was having a brill time surfing through their fantastic makes but I just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer...my lovely Dad rang me late in the evening saying his remote was broken and he had bought another one and couldn't make head or tail of the instructions at all, so I went up and I'm a real instruction freak, I read from front to back no matter what its for so I know what I'm doing but seriously people who wrote that booklet how on earth do you expect someone who isn't used to them to understand the gibberish in it...I managed but I can understand why my Dad didn't...I had this vision of a group of geeks sitting wetting themselves laughing at making the instructions into a book of totally pointless words, after all why write one word when you can have fifteen to say the say thing lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...our host this time is the fabulous Deb and she chose the theme of Pretty soft Spring Pastels....I chose this stunning spring Tilda I cant remember her name though but she is a real spring image isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with paper from the beautiful Prima Fairy Belle 6x6 paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, its so pretty isn't it and I love all the fairies in it...I finished with some Seam Binding 1/2 inch Tile Blue from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop and a beautiful Prima flower...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz Challenge and the Crafters Cafe Blog Challenge...Its supermarket today with my Dad, the first thing I do with I win my millions is hire someone to food shop for me lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tatered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
outfit - tattered rose
hat and shoes - stormy sky
flowers - scattered straw
lamb - pumice stone, grey Marvy pen

Happy Mothers Day - well it makes a change from flowers I guess...

Good morning everyone and Happy Mothers Day to all you Mums out there...I hope you have a fantastic day planned and you get spoiled rotten...and those of you lucky enough to still have your Mums make sure you give her a wonderful day and send her loads of your love....I had a quiet day yesterday and even did more cooking, ok so it was just a pasta sauce but still that's mega cooking for me, I made a mushroom, tomato, garlic and onion sauce and while I was chopping the mushrooms it reminded me of last year in Majorca, we always make some of this sauce to keep on the fridge in case we have had a long day out as it makes a quick meal, so first day there we went scouting for shops and bought the ingredients but couldn't find any mushrooms except those button things that have no taste whatsoever, so we bought a bag of those then hunted in the canned section to see if they had something in tins we could add...we found a huge jar of what looked like brown oyster mushrooms...while I made the sauce Phil was sitting on the balcony and I couldn't for the life of me get the mushrooms from the jar to slice, they just wouldn't cut...so there was a small corner of one in the jar which I popped in my mouth, omg I have never tasted anything like it in my life, it was hard and chewy and tasted like rotten tree bark...now isn't it strange that when we taste or drink something horrible we have to get someone else to taste it to lol...I gave Phil a bit to try and his reaction was so hilarious, you would think I had given him poison lol, needless to say they went in the bin but we did wonder what on earth they were used for, except maybe to sole shoes...right now enough waffled and I know this gorgeous little Mo's Digital Pencil image has a pineapple for you for Mothers Day but I guess it makes a chance from flowers lol...she is called Pineapple Girl and I coloured her with distress inks...the lush paper is another of my hidden gems I found, its another Deja Views Cherry paper, this one is called on one side Flower Medley and the other is Dark Blue (it looks more purple ish to me)...I cut three of the flowers out for decoration and finished with a lush Lavender Mesh Ribbon-16mm ribbon from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and Moving Along with the Times challenge too...my beautiful Daughter is at work today so it will probably be this evening before I see her but I'm looking forward to it anyway...have a wonderful day everyone and enjoy yourself
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
dress - shading pumice stone
pink is a Whispers pen
pineapple - scattered straw, shabby shutters

oops...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, well my glasses are fixed thank goodness it was either the opticians or staple them to my head and I couldn't find any pink staples so the opticians it was, they even moulded the ends to a deeper curve so they wont fall off now...did you ever have one of those days when everything you touched you dropped, I call them cack handed days, I was colouring and dashing around late yesterday afternoon, got three cards ready for photos then I spilled my colouring water on them, I saved this one but only after the water had washed over her a little bit, I managed to save the hair with a it of dark brown but shes a little bit washed out on the face skin tones, I didn't have time to redo her and do the paper piecing again so had to just use the card, I hate my colouring not being right, the other two had to be binned though...right now I have explained about my card I will tell you about my card for today lol...its for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this time its our wonderful June's choice and she chose the beautiful combo of Blue & White, I thought straight away of soft baby blues but then I bought this amazing paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...its one of the new Glitz pads and is called Vintage Blue, I am loving the pads I bought from these new ones they are lush papers and I love the patterns in this one, I haven't a clue what this fabulous Tilda is called but I coloured (and water washed lol) her with distress inks and paper pieced her beautiful dress...I added some lace, 2 ribbons and a Prima Audrey Rose - Snow rose and a few pearls to finish...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and Charisma Cardz challenge...I'm remaking my two cards today so don't think I will be heading out...have a wonderful day everyone and watch out for glasses full of inky water
Mina xxx

distress inks colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
shading on rose, lace,socks and shoes - pumice stone
leaves - forest moss

revenge of the weather fairy...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a fantastic weekend...it was a bit chilly here yesterday morning but wall to wall sunshine so we decided we would head out to buy some lovely fresh goodies to make pasta for dinner, I said to Phil are you sure its bound to rain if I'm going out...don't be daft says he...so I popped upstairs to do the busted sofa (nope still no haircut yet) and put on a bit of war paint and then I was just putting my coat on and the heavens opened with hail, snow, rain, wind...see I told him didn't I...I swear the weather fairy has a grudge to bear, maybe she doesn't like my umbrella inside out dance lol...we braved the elements and headed out getting back as soon as we could and yes you guessed it...ten minuets after taking off my coat the sun was shining again...I give in lol...we had a lovely dinner anyway except I put just a tad too much garlic in my sauce, it tasted lush but boy was I thirsty all night...anyway onto my card for today, how amazingly stunning is this brand new image from Mo's Digital Pencil, this beauty is called Easter Kiko, there's different versions of her too...pop on over to Mo's Digital Pencil and prepare to fall in love...I coloured her with distress inks and used another of the hidden stash papers I found to paper piece her dress and the bow on the basket...lush coloured papers aren't they, they are from Daisy Bucket Designs Playful Petals collection and is called Katy...I think its just perfect for the beautiful Kiko don't you...I finished my card with some beautiful sheer ribbon and bow and cut some of the flowers from the paper for embellishments ...the gorgeous sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge (my favourite things are Mo's images, paper, ribbon and cutting out) and Craft Your Days Away challenge too...we are having a family lunch today, I love those kind of days...whatever your doing today I hope its a fantastic day for you and watch out for the weather fairy she holds grudges
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - walnut stain
dress - broken china, fired brick
shoes - fired brick
basket - antique linen, frayed burlap
eggs - broken china, shabby shutters, fired brick