enough winter...

Hi everyone...I hope your all well and having a good start to the week, I know everyone is trying to get back to normal after the holiday season but who's the thicko who forgot to set her post and just had it on draft then...yep that would be me lol, I got it all ready last night but just forgot to press publish so it went to draft and I didn't discover it until I came on line a little while ago...are you all surviving the storms then, I hope there's no flooding where you are and are managing ok...right now onto today's card which is using this sweetie...this little darling is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called Serious Sharon, bless her she is very serious isn't she...so I decided instead if being serious that shes dreaming lol...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these summery pretty paper (enough of the winter and the miserable weather I think don't you?) from the Kaisercraft - Lady Rose 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...I love this stunning paper pad, the colours are so lush aren't they...I added a rub on and a piece of Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) and finished with a Prima flower from my stash...the ribbon and paper pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge, Totally Gorjuss Challenge and Allsorts Challenge too

oh and before I go...a bit of news for you Mo is having a winter sale so pop on over to grab a bargain or seven just click below to go straight there...sorry about my late post but better late than never I guess lol...I will speak to you all tomorrow and enjoy the rest of your night
Mina xxx

Mo's BIG WINTER Sale!!  20% off your digital stamp order

the real Santa...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...are you getting the same weather we are?, its sopping wet here and hasn't stopped raining for at least 24 hours...everything is soaked through and It was coming down so hard we had rivers of rain running down our street yesterday evening...yucky weather...its still not cold yet and would you believe one of my roses is flowering again...roses at the end of October?, is that natural do you think...I had a really lazy day yesterday I hardly moved at all, in fact Phil thought I was sleeping when he came in I was so still lol...I feel a bit better for it today though thank goodness so just goes to show a duvet day every now and then does you the power of good...see I know it lol...today I'm off out with my Dad nothing too exciting just going baby clothes shopping, one of my Nieces is due to give birth in the next week and although I don't know what it will be I need to get something now so my Dad can take it with him when he flies over at the weekend, hes so excited for his first Great Grandchild's arrival...perfect excuse for buying something cute and gorgeous isn't it...right now onto my card for today...did you know that Santa shouldn't really be red suited...he was originally green or blue depending on which country you were in and the red Santa we all know and love is an invention of a well know soft drinks company (holidays are coming lol)...so I chose to colour this gorgeous Little Helpers digi from Sugar Nellie in green (well any excuse not to use too much of the dreaded red ink lol)...I used my distress inks for colouring and some stunning papers from the Teresa Collin's Designs Christmas Cottage 6x6 paper pad from my Christmas stash last year I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, that's the good thing about traditionally coloured Christmas papers isn't it, they don't date and you can use them year after year...I added some ribbon's and ruffled bow, a tag sentiment cut from the same pad and of course couldn't resist throwing some buttons in lol...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sketch Saturday Challenge, Allsorts Challenge and the C.R.A.F.T challenge too...I'm off to get some war paint on and believe me this week I need it before I head out...whatever your up to today I hope its a beautiful dry one for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

bunny's - antique linen, pumice stone, peeled paint, fired brick

Santa - green is a mix of shabby shutters & peeled paint

belt & boots - black soot

shading - pumice stone

bag - frayed burlap

gifts - pumice stone, antique linen, peeled paint, firedbrick

image edge distressed in Stormy sky

not just for Christmas.....

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a good week...yes your eyes don't deceive you its me with another card...three in a row is that a record lol...hands up all those people who reckon I got my craft room tidied...yep your right I didn't get started too many distractions and glittery bits and pieces oh and two new packs of buttons to be used...now who can resist buttons, not me...I did do a bit of research on the net though as I'm hoping to get my new printer tomorrow...so its a coffee and shopping day with my lovely Dad...I love going shopping with just me and my Dad, he just wanders and doesn't mind how long you take ooohhhing and arrrggghhhing over all those gorgeous gadgets...he just wanders off and drools over the huge tv's even though there's no way one would fit in his lounge...I would so love a 3d tv though wouldn't you especially now the technology makes them crisper and clearer...ooooohhhh a scary movie must be fantastic on a 3d tv although I don't like 3d movies at the cinema they are too large and fry my brain trying to keep up with all the action etc...my card for today is using Christmas papers and colours but it just goes to show you don't need to use them just for Christmas do you...how stunningly beautiful is this Sweet Pea Stamps digi, look at those eyes...she is from their Elaine Cox collection digis and is called Bess...she is one of the ones I lost in the last computer crash though so I wont be able to use her again boo hoo...I coloured her with distress inks as usual and the beautiful papers are from the Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage 6x6 paper pad I bought last year from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...lush papers aren't they...I finished with some Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy made into a bow (really easy because its wired) and a scattering of new buttons I bought at my local craft shop...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Totally Gorjuss Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...right I'm off for a shower and to get my face on for printer shopping...whatever your up to today have some fun and have another look at all those unused Christmas papers you have to see what else you can use them for
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - peeled paint

hair - pumice stone

lips and spots around image - barn door

flowers - peeled paint, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

its hop time...

Good morning everyone are you all having a fab week?...the weather is still drizzly and grey here but we are living in hope of the last of the sun before winter arrives...well its that time again...time for the Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly blog hop...I love these hops we have such a super talented team all their work amazes me so much

this month the theme is Circles and our host this month is the super talented Gretha...you should have arrived here from the fabulous

KALY'S

blog but if you didn't and you want a chance to win one of two $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil (and who wouldn't) just for leaving comments along the way just pop over to Gretha's to start at the beginning...I chose to use this oh so cute A Sister Is image for my card...I couldn't resist those little faces...I coloured them with my usual distress inks and teamed them up with these fabulous colourful papers from the Echo Park - Here & Now 6x6 Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a strip of worded ribbon I found in my stash and a scattering of colourful buttons to finish

I love all these wonderful colours together don't you...your next stop on the hop is the wonderful

JAK

who I'm sure will gobsmack you with her talent as always...the sketch I used I just made up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Allsorts Challenge, Tammy's Scrapin Corner Challenge and the Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge too...I'm off supermarket shopping with my lovely Dad today, hes back from his travels and needs to restock and I'm sure we will be having some 'put the world to right' coffee of course too...whatever your up to today I hope its lovely and warm where you are...oh btw don't forget your comments for a chance to win

Mina xxx

Is it that time already...

Good morning everyone hows your week going...has anyone noticed its starting to get dark by 9pm already...oh no please someone tell me it isn't that time yet...surely our summer cant be drawing to a close already...that makes me so sad...we have decided to see if we can catch the end of the summer and take my lovely Dad away for a week to explore some more of this beautiful island we live on...so end of August we are heading to a real thatched cottage for a week...the rest will do Phil good too I think...now for a little bit of a rant about my Dads new wheelchair...we were going to get it at the local Disability shop but it was £199 there and I found the exact same model online at a well know Pharmacy website with free postage for would you believe £69.99 and I think that's enough to pay for a fold up one to sit in his boot in case he needs it don't you...now how on earth can there be that much mark up in Northern Ireland (I checked online and every disability shop here was near enough the £200 mark) and almost 70% cheaper on the mainland why are disabled people here being penalised, what if you don't use the internet or don't know anyone else who does your stuck paying that horrendous amount for the same model...shocking isn't it...ok rant over lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this super cute little sweetie...shes a CC Designs stamp called Drozy's Darlings White isn't she a real cutie...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed up with some papers from another new pad...these are from the stunning Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Stationary Noted...its so gorgeous...I finished with some flowers and a tag cut from the same pad and a bow made with Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide), I love this ribbon because its wired and its so easy to make a perfect fluffy bow every time and if it gets crushed it can be reshaped...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Crazy 4 Challenge's and Im also entering it for the Cutie Pie Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...I'm having a catch up with crafting day today there's loads I need to get done so wish me luck, I need it lol...whatever your up too have a brilliant day without any rants needed lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dress - barn door, pumice stone, stormy sky

shading - pumice stone

theres something about spots & stripes...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

shading on paper piecing and around image - pumice stone

every little girls needs polka dots...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy the blog hop yesterday...what did you think of the Bags of Fashion release...aren't they gorgeous?...I wonder which ones you chose or did you go for them all?...we had a nice day yesterday, lunch out and bit of shopping (the necessary kind not the fun kind though), a little visit with our beautiful Daughter then home...the plan was Chinese for dinner then a movie but Phil had a sudden surge of energy and decided to paint the hall????...go figure...oh well it gave me a chance to have some playtime in my craftroom anyway and the bonus was the hall walls got finished not all I need to do is decide what pictures to put up and where...rip up the carpet and do the banister and stair rail...phew that's a lot and that's just the hall...ever wish you hadn't started something lol...anyway after our Chinese Phil nodded off (energy reserve gone I guess lol) so no movie but its better with a painted hall than sitting watching a movie I think don't you?...right now onto my card for today, I couldn't resist using another of the cute little girls from the Crafter's Companion Angelique & friends stamps for my card today, this cutie is called Isobel...its ages since I have done anyway real paper piecing so I may have gone just a tad overboard with it on this one lol...I coloured the bits I didn't paper piece with my distress inks...the fantastic papers I used for the card and paper piecing are more from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Divine...lush soft pastel colours aren't they?...because the stamp and papers were so pretty all I used to finish was some of the beautiful Prima Say It In Crystals Mini Swirls - Divine aren't they stunning, they are a mix of swirls in pearls and crystals and a few scattered gems from the Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm...everything I used for today's card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge...we are off for breakfast in Town today and hitting a few shops while we are there...we are looking for a new throw or bedspread for our bed to ring the changes with colours for our bedroom that's next on our hit list (after the hall that is)...phew I'm exhausted just thinking about it lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a lovely restful one

Mina xxx

p.s. this is the last day for the Bunny Zoe's candy (link at the top of my sidebar) and I have a little bit more candy for you all to join in with tomorrow

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

finger tips...

Good morning everyone, did you all have a brilliant weekend?...well I'm still hanging on by my fingertips with my internet connection but live in hope...that's me the eternal optimist lol...Dads feeling a bit better after our trip out yesterday and will Phil along I think it does him the power of good to have another man to talk too don't you?...hes off on one of his jaunts this week anyway off to my Sisters in England so that should help him buck up a bit more and it always makes him smile seeing my other Sisters little ones...mind they are a huge tonic to anyone and always bring a smile to my face...my Dad, Daughter and her other half are all coming for dinner tonight before he heads of on his jaunt so I'm so looking forward to that...Dad loves our gravy for some strange reason so I'm making a huge cottage pie, veg and cheesecake for afters...yum yum yum...oh no I have made myself hungry now lol...right now onto my card for today...how fabulous is this Janey's Digi Designs image...I so loved colouring this Red Hot Poker, even with so much red used lol...aren't the colours in this fabulous Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux pad, I bought this from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in this pad...I finished with a fab green ribbon and bow and a butterfly charm from my stash...the papers and image go so well together I didn't think it needed anymore do you?, Im never quite sure where to stop where embellishments are concerned and always seem to have so few compared to others cards...the sketch is last weeks sketch from Mojo Monday (way behind because of my internet...again) but I'm entering this for the Papercraft Star Challenge, Inky Impressions Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...I'm off to make my world famous gravy lol...so no playing for me today well except in the kitchen of course....oooohhhhhh how I hate cooking but needs must when you have hungry mouths to feed...whatever your up to today have fun and stay out of the kitchen if possible lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

barn door, scattered straw, pumice stone

aaaaawwwwww gotta love technology...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend?...ours was kinda quiet Phil worked Saturday and was at a marshaling meeting yesterday (yep motorbike racing season will be starting soon *sigh*) so despite my rush to the shops for my new cable it was very very quiet...what was yours like?...its amazing how much we take technology for granted isn't it, well until it stops working then its a mad rush to get it to start again...I have a backup camera but it was charged either and could I hell find the cable for it...well looking for the cable last night to charge just in case something like that happened...guess what I discovered, the cable for my spare fits my camera I needed the new cable for...now that's defo called sods law isn't it lol, I also found a huge bag of cables that I haven't a clue what they are for, why do we keep cables without labelling them, how crackers and frustrating is that, do you all have a bag like that or is it just us?...tonight we are having the whole family for dinner and Phil made pies last night yum yum, so I'm going to make a cake for dessert this afternoon so that's my day sorted...right now onto my card for today which should have been yesterdays card (don't go there Mina it will fry your brain lol)...its using this stunning Crafty Cat image from Mo's Digital Pencil...I added a wordart Happy Birthday to it...brilliant idea the blank page isn't it so you can add your own message...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing summery papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I'm loving all the new pads I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts last time I ordered aren't you...I finished with some Pink Roses, punched leaves and a sentiment from the same pad...the fab sketch is from Just Us Girls Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sandy's Crafty Creations Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...right I'm off to get my pinny on for baking, can you believe I'm actually starting to enjoy baking, haven't stretched far enough as to start to enjoy cooking yet though lol...whatever your up to have a brilliant day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

ribbons, heart & shoes - worn lipstick

dress - tumbled glass, pumice stone

bag and contents - shabby shutters, frayed burlap, scattered straw, victorian velvet

messages - pumice stone, antique linen, victorian velvet, tumbled glass, shabby shutters

isnt technology brilliant...

Good morning everyone...I hope your all well and having a brilliant week...isn't technology brilliant, well it is when you remember to press the publish button instead of the save lol...well duh how daft am I, I was shattered last night and decided to do my post to have a lie in this morning...in my sleepy state though I did a little boo boo and forget to press the publish button to schedule it...see its not technology at fault, its the idiot using it lol...Phil came home early yesterday and made pies and loads of them so we had the family for dinner last night, brilliant night and yummy pies...my Phil certainly knows how to bake and makes the best pastry ever, so light and crumbly...yum yum...so its his fault I was so full and sleepy last night, well that's my excuse and I'm sticking too it...did I tell you we bought a wreath for the front door at the weekend...Phil fell for a jingle bells wreath in red and white...its a circle of very tinkly bells with a huge red bow...our Daughter says its annoying but we love it and it will jingle every time the door opens...I haven't made any decorations yet so I better get my finger out hadn't I...have you all finished your Christmas shopping yet?, I haven't even started and I'm dreading buying for Phil he is the hardest to buy for...wouldn't you think how close we are I would know exactly what to get him but nope, not a clue, he isn't into technology (I'm the gadget person in our house), doesn't need any clothes and has all the cooking stuff he needs...so any advice gratefully accepted thanks lol...right now my card for today...isn't this little fella just fabulous hes from the latest Sparkle and Shine release at Sugar Nellie...fabulous Christmas digis perfect for Christmas/winter cards...hes called Letter to Santa and I coloured him with distress inks and added a bit of glittery stuff on the snow...I might have gone just a tad over with the distressing though and he ended up looking a little bit dirty instead of distressed edges...oh well we live and learn...the stunning gingham paper is a scrap from my stash so it doesn't have any name on it...I mean to put the names on the back of my scraps but didn't on this one...I added some plain red cardstock for an accent and finished with a fab bow and a few scattered sentiment stickers from the Bo Bunny Father Christmas stickers sheet...I cant for the life of me remember where the sketch is from (I think my memory is draining out of my ear the last 24 hours lol) but Im entering it for the Crafty Creations challenge, and the Allsorts challenge too....Im off out with my lovely Dad today for a little mooch and hopefully to find some ideas for Phil for Christmas...whatever your up to today have a brilliant memory lapse free day everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

haor - frayed burlap

jeans - pumice stone

sweater and scarf - crushed olive, barn door

shoes - frayed burlap

dog - frayed burlap, barn door

lamp - frayed burlap, scattered straw

shading on snow - pumice stone

at long long long last...

Good morning everyone have you all got something amazing arranged for the weekend...I don't know what happened yesterday but no matter how much I tried I just couldn't get anything to upload onto my blog at all...I hate it when the gremlins hit don't you its one of those things you just cant do anything about and frustrates the hell out of me lol...but never mind at least I managed it today...I had a productive day yesterday and even gave my craft room a going over and emptied some more boxes, I discovered though that I need a lot more storage and like most tidy ups I found loads of play stuff I had forgotten about...ooohhhhh I love finding stash like that don't you...I unpacked a few more boxes and found the curtains I though had been thrown away too so another bonus, I just need to iron them and put them up now oops lol...then my lovely Dad came for dinner and we had a few giggles and a nice dinner together, its been a real family meal week this week, we went out to dinner on Thursday night with our gorgeous Daughter and her other half too, I love eating out with family don't you...its a fabulous way to catch up and have a few family chats...right now onto my finally uploaded card, this was supposed to be yesterdays but better late than never I guess...this fantastic Scrooge is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...and yes I did a but more paper piecing (for a change lol) and coloured the rest of him using distress inks...doesn't those lush papers suit him down to the ground...they are from the Kaisercraft - Turtle Dove 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the fab circular sentiment is from the same pad too...Im entering this for the Digital Tuesday Challenge, Crafty Catz Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...we are of to a continental farmers market this morning in search of some smoked garlic which we have run out off and then out to lunch and maybe a little mooch for some Christmas shopping, you never know do you...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and don't spend too much lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

nightgown and candle- antique linen

slippers & candle holder  - barn door

glasses - stormy sky

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

eek no colouring...

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

distress ink colours - antique linen for edge distressing

spring fresh...

Good morning everyone, how are you all...are you all well and happy I hope so...my lovely Dad is back from his travels again and he looks so well, its brilliant to have him back and we will be heading out to the supermarket today to stock up his cupboards...btw I have the freshest breath in Britain today lol, I was cleaning the kitchen cupboards so the new people wouldn't have too yesterday and was using a flash cleaner with added fabreze and getting on fine...a bit too fast though as I sprayed it the wrong way round and gave my face a good dosing lol...duh how thick am I, oh well it freshened my breath anyway lol...am I nuts doing this much cleaning for leaving a house or are you all the same, I couldn't bear the thought of it being dirty for the next owners and would hate it myself...please tell me Im not crazy lol...oh I forgot yesterday to say where we were going on holiday didn't I, I just grabbed the first bargain flight I could see and booked it so we are heading to Majorca and ooohhhhh I do love a bargain don't you lol....right now onto my card for today, isn't this beautiful Annabelle digi from Make It Crafty gorgeous, I coloured her with distress inks and used some stunning papers from the My Mind's Eye - A Happy Heart 6x6 Pad, I love the lush colour combo in this pad and its from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a huge Prima metal flower, some pearls (yes these are the ones from under the sofa lol) and a ceramic sentiment...the fab sketch is from Tuesday morning sketches challenge and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and Craft Your Days Away Challenge too...right I'm off to get the war paint on for the battle of the trolleys at the supermarket but a put the world to rights coffee and some cake will help I'm sure...whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
outfit - antique linen, victorian velvet, pumice stone

back to the drawing board...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a fabulous weekend...we went house looking yesterday of course no viewings on a Sunday so it was a look at the areas and outsides only...the stunning apartment that I secretly craved for is gone so thats out of the picture 'sob'...so its back to the drawing board and I must admit its getting a bit desperate now...now how hard can it be to get something we both love...very hard lol...I had forgotten we had such a vast difference in taste in houses, I love character houses but with modernised interiors, something that is perfect with the wow factor really now how hard can that be lol...Phil just wants plain and simple he even suggested a house on a retirement site...really not me and I know Phil would go with the flow and give me my own way but Im still living in hope we can get a real 'us' place...well you have to love an optomist dont you lol...right now onto my card for today, how adorable is this little sweetie called Little Bessie from Teddy Bo & Co, she looks like a little wartime evacuee dosent she...I remember my Mum telling me stories of when she was evacuated and this image reminded me of those stories and how much she loved living in Cornwall during the war...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - Sweet Nothings 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, the one with the roses on is glazed, you can just see the shine off it I think...beautiful papers...I finished with some beautiful soft brown gingham ribbon and a bow and two of the Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton...the flowers and papers I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the cute sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge and Im also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and The Ribbon Girl challenge too...right now its back to ringing up estate agents to arrange viewing today so wish me luck...whatever your up to have a brilliant day and wherever your are I hope the suns shining on you
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
cardigan - crushed olive
dress - victorian velvet
bag and shoes - frayed burlap
shading - antique linen
edge distressing - antique linen

the fastest needle in the west?...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a fantastic day yesterday and didnt get too wet...remember yesterday I was saying about my beautiful Daughters time saving fancy dress outfit...well...guess who rang me half and hour before she was leaving with the pleading 'Mum can you do something with my costume its not quite right' voice lol...she wanted the sides of the front ruched so her legs showed a little, so out came the needle and thread and all the layers were ruched and stitched in under 15 mins...see fastest needle in the west lol...dont you just love that our kids think we can do anything in no time at all, I was the same with my Mum I knew she could sort anything out...well we went out to lunch yesterday but by the time lunch was finished the heavens had opened again and the water was running down the streets, so instead of a mooch round town we went home for a dry afternoon watching old movies instead...did you do anything?...right now onto my card for today, now I know I rarely use a stamp more than once (I know its shocking isnt it slapped wrist to me) but I had to use this stunning Whimsy Stamp called Cinnamon Sugar again she is one of my all time favourite stamps...this time I did her with darker hair, Im not sure it worked but it was fun colouring her...I used distress inks and her outfit is paper pieced with papers from the same paper pad I used for the card...they are from the Cosmo Cricket 6" x 6" Mini Deck - Baby Jane I finished with a gorgeous satin ribbon and some of the amazingly cute and pretty Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag these are fab as they are perfectly formed tiny little roses in loads of colours...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Willow Sketchie challenge and Im also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and My Mum's Craft shop challenge too...I havent a clue what we are up to today but I think we might just head on a wee jaunt, you never know where we will end up...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen, frayed burlap
cupcake - scattered straw, fired earth
basket - frayed burlap, fired earth, scattered straw

the sumo cat is visiting...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...we took our beautiful Daughter and her other half to the airport and all went well although they were so excited it was infectious... you wouldn't believe she has travelled the world with us since she was six months old would you lol...while we were at the airport we got a text from my Sister saying my Dad wasn't going to England as he was very overtired which is very worrying, he says hes fine and just wanted to spend some time at home but I have a strange feeling its something else, you know when we women get those feeling don't you...I hope hes ok and isn't feeling ill or anything...we have our Daughters 'sumo' cat staying for a few days while they are away, I have never seen a bigger more vocal cat than Nala, she is so noisy, I think shes trying to communicate with me lol...she is so big she almost fills my back door mat sitting waiting for her owners to come home...I will take a photo of her for you to see she is huge...right now onto my card for today which is using this oldie but goody long uninked sweetie Gorjuss Girl from Sugar Nellie, she is called Sitting and is on sale atm too...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her dress with one of the two lush Kars 12x12 papers I used for my card...I finished with a huge organza bow and some lush pink pearls...I'm entering this for the Dynamic Duos challenge and the Allsorts challenge...I'm hoping my Dad comes home today so I can check for myself hes ok and maybe get a bit of shopping done for him and of course he can get his Fathers Day card too...whatever your up to today I hope the weather is better for you, its been tiddling down for 24 hours here
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - black soot
socks - pumice stone, worn lipstick

Cows are girls too...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend, I hope so...I'm feeling a bit better today...I slept all the morning away yesterday, I think you were all right about sleep being the best treatment, I felt a little better when I got up so we went out for a little walk around the shops and ended up buying a new 'us' dinner set, teacups and saucers, teapot, creamer and sugar bow, casseroles well just about everything actually, then poor Phil cleaned everything else out and stacked it all up to take to the charity shop...we are now the proud owners of a complete dinner set for 8 picked by us...mind when I got back I was shattered and had to have another snooze...you will be pleased to know my lovely Dad got to Sicily ok and is well and enjoying the sunshine in their huge villa, isn't he the lucky one...now I'm feeling a bit better I AM going to do some crafting today, well that's the plan anyway but you know what plans are like lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month the theme was chosen by our lovely Maria Theresa and she chose the fab one of Girls, Girls, Girls...now remember cows are girls too lol, my card is using this stunning Magnolia Summer Memories - Little Miss MuuMuu stamp, how cute is she and fantastic to colour, I coloured her with distress inks, the lush papers are from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Vintage Marketplace paper pack, I love this amazing pack so colourful and fantastic weight of paper too great to distress, I finished with some pink seam binding and a beautiful flower from the Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton pack...I had to use some of my favourite Wooden Ornaments - Alphabet letters for my Moo sentiment...I'm entering this for the Lets Ink It Up Challenge, The Ribbon Girl challenge and Allsorts Challenge too...right I'm off for a lock in the craft room and I'm not coming out until I have created at least three cards...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and if you get the time pop on over to Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and see the amazing makes from our fab DT
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
little MuuMuu - antique linen, frayed burlap, spun sugar, black soot
flowers - shabby shutters, broken china, peeled paint

goal...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a fab week...it was a strange day yesterday one of those days when its two steps forward one back, trying hard to do things and not quite getting there, I have five cards half made, when you have one of those days your better drawing a line and starting again another day aren't you...well it either that or bang your head against a brick wall and the first is less painful lol...its still taking a little bit of getting used to having Phil home, don't get me wrong I'm loving every second of it but there is teeny little things like Phil brought a clock home with him and the ticking is driving me nuts so whenever I can I stop it in the hope he will think its broken and chuck it lol...I know I'm bad I should just tell him shouldn't I...I hate ticking clocks don't you its like chinese water torture lol...right now onto my card for today, I thought it was time I did a boys card as I haven't been doing as many as normal so I chose this stunning little Sugar Nellie Striker stamp from Funky Kits for it...hes so sweet isn't he, I love these little hedgies...I coloured him with distress inks and teamed him up with this amazing double sided paper from My Minds Eye Lil' Robots range, its called Sock Em Stars...I finished with some white rope and bow, a stamped sentiment from kaisercraft and a star cut from the paper...I think this image would make a fantastic card for any boys birthday don't you...the fab sketch is from The Sugar Bowl and I'm entering it for the Lollipop Crafts challenge and Allsorts challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today I think he needs shopping, I really should buy some shares in Sainsburys shouldn't I lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
hedgie - frayed burlap, antique linen, spun sugar
grass - shabby shutters
football - spiced marmalade
bee - aged mahogany. spiced marmalade, stormy sky

lil' Robots...

Good morning everyone how are you all...we had sunshine yesterday but why is it still so cold, surely all that sun and blue skies would warm the ground up a bit, well I'm sure there's an explanation why it doesn't but I cant figure it...apparently its the wettest April here since the early 1980's, cant be the warmest one either...Phil's first day went brilliantly, he loves it and says the people are so nice and really friendly but he got lost a couple of times wandering around...he was kinda surprised, but I had to bite my tongue to stop myself saying 'you cant find the car in a car park at the supermarket so how do you think you can find your way round on your first day'...its ok I stopped myself lol...well the stir fry was lush even if I do say so myself, but the cupcakes didn't get made as I had all the ingredients except icing sugar to make the frosting and cupcakes without frosting are like bread without butter, just cant be done I'm afraid...right now onto my card for today, isn't this little cutie just perfect for any of those boys cards we have to make now and again, I love that cheeky little face...hes from the Simply Sassy stamps from Funky Kits and is called No. 1 Fan and is coloured with distress inks, I coloured his hair a little differently and have just noticed while doing this post...its rubbish lol...I teamed him up with another craft show buy, this is a double sided My Minds Eye paper from the Lil' Robots and is called Multi Bots, isn't it brilliant and perfect for boy stamps, I have a serious addiction to papers don't I...I didn't want to cover the little bots on the paper so finished with a few buttons and the sentiment is cut from the name label...the lush sketch is from the Allsorts Challenge and I'm also entering it for the CES Challenge and Totally Papercrafts challenge too...I'm having a crafting catch day today and I'm so looking forward to colouring to my hearts content, well I was going to clear out some drawers but the call of the ink is too great lol...whatever your doing today have a good one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
trousers - crushed olive
t shirt - stormy sky, shabby shutters, spiced marmalade
undershirt - spiced marmalade
shoes - frayed burlap

togetherness...

Good morning everyone I hope your all doing great...I'm feeling loads better and even went out yesterday, I invited everyone for dinner last night then wasn't feeling great so a trip to M&S was called for, thank goodness for their goodies, we had a lovely meal and some great chat, nothing like it for lifting the illness spirits is there...I even did a bit of crafting yah...Phil's home and ouch his chin and arm looks so sore, I feel bad for not giving massive sympathy now and I always knew yomping across all those fields in the great outdoors wasn't good for you lol see exercise is dangerous...I was going to say to him crafting is safer but then sometimes it isn't with me is it...my card for today is using this stunning stamp from Wild Rose Studio, isn't it fantastic, its called Wild Rose Studio - Bella and Butterfly its so beautifully soft and pretty isn't it and a dream to colour, I teamed it up some of the lush papers from the Echo Park - This & That Charming paper pad, this is a lush pad and the spotted and pink papers were perfect for this soft looking stamp, the stamp and pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a piece of ribbon with a sentiment on it, a lush chocolate brown gingham ribbon, lace and a fantastic Prima flower...the lush sketch is from Tuesday Morning sketches challenge and I'm also entering it for the Anything Goes challenge and Allsorts challenge (I chose pink, yellow and blue from the bingo chart)...I'm going to do a bit more crafting today I have loads and loads and loads to catch up with so might not surface from my craft room until tomorrow, whatever your up to today keep your head down remember its Friday the 13th
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
elephant - pumice stone, spun sugar, victorian velvet
flowers - pine needles, crushed olive, victorian velvet, scattered straw
butterfly - pine needles, spun sugar, scattered straw