a day of mixed emotions with a touch of madness...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all having a fabulous week...my day yesterday was a mixed one and serious highs and lows too...first I found a mysterious box and when I opened it, it was filled with memories of the last 30 years or so...some happy some with a twinge of sadness, I found a bag with something wrapped in tissue inside, I knew what it was but wasn't expecting opening it to find what I did...a few months before my Mums death she lent me a scarf for a wedding I was going to, such a beautiful scarf I had always loved...a delicate white organza embroidered one with teeny small blue flowers...and when I went to return it to her she said for me to keep it as she knew I loved it...the parcel was that, after my wonderful Mum died I wrapped it in tissue and stored it away as it upset me to see it...I pulled it out and opened it to be met with my Mums smell...she always wore Chanel No5 and I always remember her getting ready and putting lipstick on when I smell it...the scarf was so strong with her perfume, the tears came and I hugged it and blubbed like a baby for about an hour...thank goodness I was by myself lol...then we went to the supermarket tonight (yes even people moving have to eat Mina lol)...I bought a tv mag for next week and got that little flipping feeling in my insides realising that the new mag was for our new house...you know the feeling, like when you were a child thinking about Christmas day...then I think we both went a bit nuts and booked a holiday for September, yes that's just what we need again isn't it, a bit more packing lol...although Phil so deserves a rest I think....phew sorry for the long rant I will get on with my card for today...which is for our new challenge at the Crafts and Me Challenge, this week the theme has been chosen by our lovely Karen and she chose Autumn Colours...I used the beautiful Unveiling of the Heart by Sara Burrier for my card, isn't she stunning, I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with papers from the K&Co Life's Journey 8x8 paper pad I found it while I was clearing...I finished my card with a huge lush satin bow and some punched hearts I folded to try and make look like leaves floating...hhhmmmmm not sure about that lol...I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge, Bearly-Mine Challenges and the {Pin}spirational challenge too...I'm off to buy paint today as I cant wait to get my brushes on all that paintwork and spruce it up so want to be prepared...whatever your up to have a fantastic blub free day and when you have the time pop on over to the Crafts & Me challenge to see what the rest of our fab team came up with
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
outfit - tattered rose, antique linen
cloak - tattered rose

one for my wee darling...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week, did you all enjoy the fabulous hop yesterday? oh and did you join in my lush candy too, if not the hop is below there's loads of time to join in for a chance to win and the candy link is at the top of the sidebar...I have had a super busy this week, I dont know why though its been one of those two steps forward one back kinda weeks, do you know what I mean?...oooohhhhhh btw our beautiful Daughters Sumo cat isn't very well, its developed a funny sideways kinda walk thing as if its back hips are hurting, we were wondering if it had been hit by something or someone, so I'm going to the vets with them today I don't our Daughter wants to go on her own, just in case...shes a huge fluffy sweetie but she is 14 year old and our Daughter is terrified something will happen to her that cant be put right...poor lamb I'm not sure shes taking the right person with her to the vets for strength I would probably go to pieces too...then after that its a visit to an estate agent (yet again) then we are heading off to our local craft shops (all being well) as she fancies having a go at making jewellery (our Daughter not the cat lol)...oooohhhh how I would love for her to get into something crafty that we could share...right enough waffle for today I think lol, my card for today is the one I made my darling Phil for his Birthday, I know shock horror there's no colouring on it but its Phil's taste and that's what counts isn't it...I used a sentiment stamp from the new Whimsy Definitions Notables 4 stamp set, this is a brilliant set with something for most occasions, I teamed it up with one of the amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad, I love these Graphic45 pads so much I bought both of them, I couldn't resist lol...I finished with a black ribbon knot and a selection of the buttons I bought at Denelm Mill...the sentiment is using the Wooden Ornaments - Alphabet set coloured with a black waterproof pen, I love these wooden letters they add a real dimension to a card, the pad, stamp and letters are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm entering this for the Mema's Crafts challenge, Tuesday Alchemy challenge and the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge too, well what did you think of my non colouring card? did you like it or miss the colouring, be honest now I have a very thick skin lol...right I'm off to put my face on for heading to the vets, wish us luck please...whatever your up to today I hope its a peaceful relaxing one
Mina xxx

there were no distress inks hurt in the making of this card lol

new buttons...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well, the rain is back here (for a change lol)...my wonderful Sis and her family were here for a little while yesterday but they were heading out for a jaunt and as the car was full I couldn't go, every time I see them I realise how much I miss seeing them, kids just shoot up don't they and here's are a real joy, I would love to see them everyday...we really should make more of an effort to see each other after all we only live 50 miles apart, but with kids, work and me not being able to drive (I know shocking isn't it) it rarely happens...Phil had a nice Birthday I think, not the best type of days when you have to work 2-10pm though as we didn't even get a chance to go out for a meal....so it will have to be another night...I will show you the card I made him in a few days....oooohhhhhhh and I have some lush candy from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for you this week, Nikki always gives candy that I'm jealous of and this one I SO want...can you enter for your own candy do you think lol...right now onto my card for today this fabulous little Home Grown Manga sweetie from Sugar Nellie and is called Honey Bee, isn't she gorgeous and shes on offer at the mo for an amazing £4.25...I coloured her with distress inks and used this lush double sided paper from Echo Park's Sweet Summertime range, its called Summer Argyle...I must buy some more of this range the colours are so beautiful and bright...I finished with some pretty coloured pearls and some of my new find, these buttons are from Dunelm Mill and I bought three different colour ways...these are from two of them...aren't they stunning colours, unusual and bright...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge and the Crafty Boots challenge (I used Ribbon, stripes and yellow)...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today but feel the need for a mega colouring marathon...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours
skin - antique line, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique line
dress and shoes - victorian velvet
jar - stormy sky, scattered straw, spiced marmalade
bee - scattered straw, black soot

watch out for flying germs...

Good morning everyone are you all well and happy?...ok you clever clogs, you were right about the mystery virus coming back to bite me in the bum lol...my throat is so sore and almost closing and bless him my darling Phil went and got me ice cream last night to sooth it without even being asked...all together now aaaaaawwwwwww what a sweetheart...defo a keeper isn't he...I hate it when your not well don't you, especially when you don't know what it is, I know I should go to the Docs but there's nothing they can do for a virus is there so I will just let it run its course I guess...I'm missing my little mooches out with my Dad this week but hope hes having the best time ever and lying toasting in the sun...maybe that's whats up with me 'sun deprivation virus' wouldn't it be brilliant if it was that do you think you could get a holiday in the sun on prescription, Phil would have to take time off to go on holiday with me then lol, the good thing is the amount of beauty sleep I'm getting my entry for Miss World should be no problem lol....right enough waffling Mina...my card for today is using one of my favourite Sugar Nellie images, this is the amazing Searching from Funky Kits, I love this stamp...I coloured her maybe a little too softly with distress inks as the colours are hard to see in the light of my daylight lamp but there was no light to get a photo without it, her top looks white but its actually Milled Lavender...the amazingly gorgeous papers are from the Basicgrey Hello Luscious collection and is called Dazzling...fab colours isn't it, I finished with some lush gingham in lilac and a couple of pretty mixed flowers...I used the sketch from The Sugar Bowl (its ok I'm not entering now that would be cheating as I'm on the Sugar Nellie DT wouldn't it lol) but I am entering it for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge, Stamp and Create challenge and Lollipop Crafts challenge I made two cards yesterday but I need to make some more today I think, I need to get a little bit ahead just in case...whatever your up to today why not try popping into your Doctor and asking if he has heard of the 'sun deprivation virus' its worth a shot
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
top - milled lavender
jeans - evergreen bough
sky - stormy sky (what else lol)
trees and grass - mixture of forest moss & shabby shutters
flowers - barn door

some advice needed please...

Good morning everyone, how are you all doing, I hope your well and happy and no sniffles or coughs about...we went to the hospital and got my Dads eye measured but bad news is it may take another 4 months to get it done, but my Dad who says he doesn't get on well with people chattered away to the nurse and almost chewed her ear off, he hardly shut up lol...his hearing is so bad he needs someone in consulting rooms with him or he just nods and they think he can hear them...the last time his hearing was tested the specialist said my voice was the best one for him to hear, its pitch (the pitch he hears in) is lower than normal for a woman...oh well gee thanks for saying I have a mans voice Doc lol, I think its my Geordie accent...well I suppose its nice to be useful for something isn't it, I need some advice or at least our eyes, I'm making my Nieces wedding invitations (yeah I know sucker is written across my brow lol) and I need some wide vintage looking lace in cream or ivory, I have looked online but haven't found anything she likes so if your surfing or looking keep an eye out and if you see any let me know the link will you please, Im sure a few more eyes is bound to turn up something...right now onto my card for today is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge, this time is our fabulous Mona's theme and she chose Vintage, can anyone explain to me the difference between vintage and shabby chic as I really struggle with them both and get them kinda mixed together...I chose to use this beautiful Sara Burrier image called Hope from Crafts and Me for my card isn't it so cute, I coloured her with distress inks and glittered her wings and balloon...the fantastic papers are from the Basicgrey Little Grey Dress 6x6 paper pad, isn't the colours beautifully muted and elegant, I added some wide lace, the lace was white so I distressed it with some antique linen distress inks and finished with more threaded through a brooch embellishment...the fantastic sketch is from The Ribbon Carousel challenge but as usual I'm like the cows tail, behind and missed the challenge didn't I...anyway I'm going to enter it for the Simon says Stamp and Show challenge, and the Totally Gorjuss challenge...I'm going to catch up on some DT work today as we are going to have a few very busy day which I will tell you all about later in the week...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - walnut stain
dress and sash - antique linen, stormy sky
tights and balloon - stormy sky

Happy Valentines Day - my first Sugar Nellie love...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy and Happy Valentines Day to you all, did you all see my cake last night?...were you impressed?...I'm so impressed with myself and it made me want to more different kinds so watch this space...oh and did you all join in my new candy yet, if not the links on the sidebar at the top, have a go as they are so lush...I had a super lazy day yesterday and did absolutely nothing, well I did eat another cake lol...but besides from that all I did was watch chat shows all afternoon and didn't even get dressed out of my jim jams...oh well I guess a lazy day now and then does you good doesn't it...my card for today is using the stamp that made me fall in love with Sugar Nellie stamps, I love this beautiful stamp, that face is amazing and its a dream to colour...its by Kathy Hare Designs for Sugar Nellie and is called Worried, I think it shows a lot of love don't you...I coloured him in monochrome with distress inks and teamed him up with these super stunning Prima Printery 6x6 paper pad papers, love this pad, its so aged and distressed and perfect for monochrome or to add a splash of colour too...the beautiful sentiment is stamped softly to give it an aged look and is from my stash, I finished with some fab recycled ribbon from Christmas packaging and a beautiful bird charm that was part of a gift from a fellow crafter...the sketch is lush but I cant remember where its from but I'm entering this for the Simon says stamp challenge, My Mums Craft shop challenge and Simon says Stamp and show challenge too...We don't celebrate Valentines Day for no other reason than we are hardly ever together on it and try to show each other every day we love each other not just on one day (aaaawwwww ok now don't all get slushy lol)...I really must do some crafting today so no cake eating or chat show watching I promise...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone, black soot
shading - pumice stone and grey Marvy pen