smile...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and had a brilliant weekend...ours was full of moving boxes and sofas and endless beds and bags and on and on and on...it seemed forever but finally our little princess is settled in her beautiful new home...its a gorgeous little terraced three bedroom house with a fabulous new kitchen and she loves it to bits...the icing on the cake its all of 5 mins walk to her job...bad thing is our baby sitting cat duties are over and her gorgeous little ball of fluff has gone to his new home too...I will miss them both so so much...you know when you have had a really bad few months and you breath a sigh of relief because life seems to be finally lifting that bad luck death grip on you and then what happens?...something even worse happens, something life changing...something you hoped never would...I cant really talk about it yet but I would like to ask you all a favour please send us positive thoughts today and for those who believe would you please say a prayer for us...believe me we need it desperately and I really believe in the power of positive thought don't you...right enough bringing you down (sorry for that folks) and onto my card for today...this little cutie pie is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...look at that adorable little face...shes called Missing Tooth C and I used my usual distress inks to colour her...whatever papers I chose had to bright and pretty didn't they so I chose to use them from this stunning Echo Park - Here & Now 6x6 Paper Pad I love them don't you?...I added a sparkly smile sentiment with stickers on the strip at the bottom but you can barely see it I'm afraid...I finished with some gorgeous wooden buttons from the Prima Buttons - Tea-Thyme pack...the buttons and paper pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch I used is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Calender Challenge and the Paper Creator's Crafts challenge....I'm off to lock myself in my craft room until all the positive vibes and prayers from you all reach us...keeping my head well down and concentrating on some colouring very very hard...whatever your up to today I hope its a wonderful one for you and thanks for the vibes

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar
hair - antique linen
cardigan - shabby shutters, spun sugar
top - victorian velvet
skirt - spun sugar
tights - shabby shutters, spun sugar
shoes - tumbled glass
shading - pumice stone

two tone?...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and happy...at long last the really icy spell here seems to have gone thank goodness mind it is still freezing cold but we cant have everything can we...I didn't get much done at all yesterday I made the mistake of opening up a long closed box of crafting things and found a set of Marvy pens...of course when you are faced with colouring pens what on earth is a girl to do lol...I had a little bit of a play of course and decided to try experimenting with colouring two tone...I'm not sure it worked what do you think...I used my distress inks but added a bit of different Marvy pen colour to add a tinge of other colours to the distress inks...I couldn't bring myself to try a two tone face or hair though thank goodness...let me know what you think and if you think it worked or not, now be honest my feeling wont be dented I promise and I would really like to know...right now onto my card for today and the this cute little sweetie I chose for my experiments is from Sugar Nellie and is called Sweet As Candy...shes a digi and a bargain too and like all Home Grown range shes a dream to colour...I teamed her up with more of the amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - Curiosity 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in this pad don't you they are muted but really strong, does that make any sense at all lol...everything except the gold leaves which I found in the same box as the pens is from the paper pad...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 everybody Challenge and 4 Crafty Girls Challenge too...I wont be around for a couple of days as things are busy here and I'm still not feeling 100% so have to concentrate on one thing at a time...no multitasking for me for a bit lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a relaxing one for you all

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

trousers - pumice stone, tumbled glass

sweater - peeled paint

jacket - barn door

bucket - peeled paint

candies - barn door, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

Freaky...

Good morning everyone how has your week been?, anything exciting to tell me about...how freaky is this weather, would you believe it was 16c yesterday, that's a spring day here (in fact some summer days too lol)...but in December that is just plain freaky isn't it...today is a sad day for our family but especially for my lovely Dad, its the anniversary of my Mums passing and my Sister is over to visit from England and my younger Sister is coming from Belfast with her family so we will all be together so my Dad has his whole family for support...I like to think of the good times with my Mum rather than her not being her...she had a wicked sense of humour and the most wonderful hazel coloured eyes...a beautiful woman inside and out...she would love that we will all be together this weekend she loved her family with a passion and we all loved her too...what you going to be up to this weekend?...right now onto my card for today...I think this fab Wild Rose Studio stamp is so so cute don't you...its so perfectly christmassy...this is called Wild Rose Studio - Antoine at Postbox and I coloured it with my usual distress inks and any excuse to use more Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust so I glittered all the snow up...I used more of the beautiful Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad  papers (isn't that metallic embossed one fab) and cut some sentiments from the paper to add to the tag...I added a bow made with Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy and a few buttons from the Primary - 25g button pack...the lush sketch is from Sketch Saturday Challenge but I turned it on its side and I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday challenge and Papertake Weekly Challenge too, everything I used on my card today was from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...well this morning I have loads more cutting out to do for my beautiful Niece's wedding invitations...would you believe over the last couple of day I have cut out by hand 230 pieces of card and paper...my poor aching fingers lol...it will be worth it though as even if I say so myself they are fabulous...then will be seeing my Sister and Dad this afternoon so I better make a move and get started...whatever your up to today I hope whatever your doing is special and fun

Mina xxx
p.s. theres still time to join in with this months candy if you would like too...the link is in the sidebar

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - peeled paint, antique linen, black soot

dog - antique linen, fired earth

postbox - black soot, antique linen, fired earth

shading - pumice stone

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

dont let anyone ever dull your sparkle...

Good morning everyone, how are you all and whats happening in your life atm?...I hope the weather that the weather forecast is saying is heading for us doesn't appear, they are saying the worst winter for ten years...omg I shudder at the thought of it being worse than -19 that it was a few years back...oh no I hate the cold don't you...I don't mind chilly, autumn weather with a little frost in the air, you know that kinda of lovely fresh crisp day...but minus temperatures make me want to hibernate until spring...I think I'm in desperate need of a week in the sun lol...I had a chillaxing day yesterday caught up with some tv and cooked that is until I realised I had forgotten to make my Sugar Nellie card for today...oops...so it was a quick make, in fact this took me 20 minuets start to finish, if you look closely you can see the glitter glue is still wet lol...this fabulous little cutie fairy is one of those all time classics like last weeks...shes perfect for Christmas cards don't you think...I made mine a taste of summer with all those butterflies...she is of course from Sugar Nellie and is called Make A Wish...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed her up with a very old paper pad...these lush papers are from the Bo Bunny 6x6 Gabrielle paper pad...they are so pretty aren't they...I added a sentiment rub on and a punched butterfly from the same pad and glittered...I used Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust on loads and loads of the butterflies, the fairy wings, bows and star...in fact everything I could think off lol...what do you think, too much glitter?, can you have any such thing lol?, I finished with a scattering of gems from the Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the 2 Sisters Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm heading to my craft room today but for a more relaxing make I hope...whatever your up to today I hope its a relaxing one too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

star, bows and part of wings - weathered bough

dress and shoes and rest of wings - tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

spots before the eyes...

Good morning everyone ok everybody prepare to faint, theres not a button in sight today lol...there is a lot of dots though and a huge amount of glitter glue...I'm sitting here covered in cats hairs, they are getting everywhere and I don't know if its just because I'm not used to them but they are making me itchy as hell and I'm forever itching my nose...the cat has a very strange habit...she loves sitting on the deck watching the birds, shes no danger to them shes too big to jump or run fast enough to get them, but she loves watching them but while shes doing in her jaw judders really fast...its like she has a spasm in her jaw and there's no sound either...so strange and so hilarious to watch...even the birds were looking at her as if something was wrong with her...its so funny lol, I heard from our Daughter and her other half yesterday afternoon to say they had landed and everything was great and the weather was very warm, the lucky things and good girl for stopping her Mum worrying, even though shes almost 29 it doesn't stop me fretting. well its in a Mum's job description isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is using a favourite stamp of mine...this is of course a Sugar Nellie stamp from Diane Duda, shes called Believe, I think one of the reason I like this stamp is that she can be used for any occasion at all...this time I used her for a monochrome card with lots of glitter...I coloured her very softly with my distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Colour Me Happy pad, I struggle wondering what to do with wood papers don't you and they are perfect for this monochrome look don't you think...I added a chocolate brown ribbon and bow and a couple of wooden hearts covered with Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust, the pad and stickles are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Ribbon Girl Make it Sparkly Challenge too...I think I'm going to have a bit of a crafting day today and if I can drag the cat away from juddering at the birds she can keep me company in my craft room...hair and all...whatever your up to today I hope its fluff free and whatever your up to you have a giggle and a good time too
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eyes - frayed burlap

hair - pumice stone

dress - pumice stone, frayed burlap

cat - pumice stone, tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

bright and cute to the extreme...

Good morning everyone are you all well?...well I have a new printer sorted, I booked it online to collect  in store but I think the store sorta missed the idea of click and collect, I went in armed with my reservation number and debit card to be met by a young man who looked like he had had a very heavy night before...I gave him my number which he didn't even look at then he asked what have you ordered, a Printer I said, what make, I told him...what model I told him that...do I want to pay cash...yes I said...then realised hang on isn't this called shopping when he went to the shelf to collect it...what was the point in my reserving it when I could have went in picked it up from the shelf and took it to the checkout lol...maybe he was just having an off day as the irony of the situation was totally lost on him bless him lol...anyway I still haven't tried it yet but fingers crossed I will get some time this afternoon and report back...oh and I got a bargain at Sainsburys too...they have a 25% sale on their clothes so I was having a little rummage when I found a pair of black linen trousers I like...no label or price tag and not another pair in sight...so I went to the customer services so managed to find a index number on the care label and punched it in...oh they are on sale she said...£6 would you believe and she then gave me the 25% off for the offer too...so I got a lush pair of linen trousers for the princely sum of £4.50...oooohhhhhh I love a bargain don't you...right now onto my card for today...all together now...aaaaaaaawwwwww how cute is this little bear, look at that adorable little face...its a Crafter's Companion stamp called Crafter's Companion Party Paws - Bamboo's Favourites...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and thought I would go bright and pretty for the papers so used these lush papers from the Echo Park - Here & Now 6x6 Paper Pad for it...I also used a knot made with Organza Ribbon - Lime (25mm Wide) a Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton flower and a couple of buttons from the Ice Storm - 25g button pack...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...its supermarket day with my Dad today and you all know what that means too don't you...yep 'put the world to rights coffee...quick question does anyone else find planning meals a real pain in the butt...I hate it, if someone would just sort out the ingredients and menu I would gladly do the cooking...its the organising I don't like...have a brilliant day and I hope your menu for this evening is already planned lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

bear - pumice stone, fraed burlap, antique linen, spun sugar

basket - frayed burlap

flowers - scattered straw, barn door, peeled paint, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

what do you think?...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...whats the weather like where you are, its definitely turning autumnal here...the nights are getting shorter and there is less and less sun and more rain...hang on isn't that summer lol...isn't it sods law that we have waited and waited and waited for our tomato's and roses to come to full bloom and its looking like it will be next week while we are away...there will be nobody about to prune and pick so we are hoping they will last for a week and still be blooming when we get home...my lovely Dad went to the doctors yesterday and his chest infection has cleared up, phew we thought for a few days we might have to cancel but its all steam ahead, well it would be if I could get my finger out and sort out my clothes...I think its harder to pack for somewhere like Ireland don't you, I mean if your going somewhere like the Med or Caribbean then you know what to pack but being somewhere like Ireland we have to take almost three lots of clothes...you need the t shirts etc but then you need sweaters and cardigans and you need something cosy and warm for the evening...and of course not forgetting my fluffy socks in case of wooden floors...right now onto my card for today now I need your honest opinion please, don't be afraid of hurting my feelings you wont I really want to know your thoughts...I tried a little bit of an experiment and coloured this stunning digi from Aurora Wings Etsy Shop a lot darker than I usually would, do you think it works or is it too dark and I should stick to lighter, I must admit it felt a bit odd piling on the colour...isn't she stunningly beautiful, she is drawn by the ubber talented Mitzi Sato-Wiuff and is called Little Elf Kia...she is amazing to colour and I used my usual distress inks...I cut her out and teamed her up with these beautiful papers from the K & Co Julianne 6x6 papers I bought many moons ago at Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I don't think Nikki stocks K & Co anymore though...I finished with some of my favourite cream satin ribbon and roses cut from the same pad...the lush sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Digistamps 4 Joy Challenge too...right now no more excuses Mina go sort out your clothes girl is what I have to keep repeating to myself today lol...oh but except for the coffee break with my lovely Dad of course...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one...I have a real fun image to show you tomorrow so will speak to you then

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - antique linen, stormy sky

grass and leaves - shabby shutter, peeled paint

ribbons - scattered straw

eyes - peeled paint

flower - victorian velvet, peeled paint

roses and butterflies everywhere...

Good morning everyone, how was your week...the most amazing thing has happened our garden has sprung up again its all blooming again and there are butterflies (and the dreaded wasps) everywhere...our three rose bushes have 42 new buds on them ready to flower (loads of photos will be posted when they are open)...I was gobsmacked and would you believe the plants I persuaded Phil to chop to the top of the soil and he said had died have new life and are flourishing too...is this another summer I ask myself, well we can live in hope cant we lol...my poor Dad has a really nasty chest infection the poor lamb, its sods law that happens after we have booked the cottage so fingers crossed it clears up before next weekend...I'm quite looking forward to the cottage it looks beautiful (I would be looking forward to it more if someone could promise me I wont be ill while Im there though) and don't worry I will take loads of photos, I bet you were really worried I wouldn't take any weren't you lol...yeah right...right now onto my card for today...I love this gorgeous Tiffany digi from the Simply Sassy's at Sugar Nellie don't you...she is so pretty and those eyes are amazing...like all Krista Smith's images she is amazing to colour and I used my usual distress inks for her of course, it was only after I had loaded these photos I realised the last time I used this digis the colours were almost the same, they must just suit her lol...the lush papers are from a very old pad...Bo Bunny Gabrielle 6x6 paper pad its so long since I bought this I cant even remember where I got it from...the fabulous butterflies are cut from the pad and I finished with a lush cream satin ribbon and a few of my favourite 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag from Bunny Zoe's Crafts to finish, perfect colours for the papers aren't they...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Saturated Canary Challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey Challenge too...I'm going to do a little bit of gardening tidying, some crafting  and make seafood pasta for dinner tonight so busy busy today I think...as you can tell I'm feeling a bit better today thank goodness so Im going to use my day while I can...whatever your up to today I hope you have a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - evergreeb bough

hair - antique linen, scattered straw

outfit - evergreen bough, pumice stone, tattered rose

headwear - evergreen bough, tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

a little bit of glitter never did any harm...or did it???...

Good morning everyone quick question for you is this photo blurry and faded looking to you?, if its not then I think my screen needs a good clean or maybe my glasses as it does to me...we had more storms yesterday and when I came in one had snapped one of my Montbretia flowers and the only ripeish tomato on Phil's vine was hanging by its finger nails (that's if they had fingernails lol)...oh and when I was colouring yesterday morning I glittered her up and put the glitter glue down and it fell off my desk, I made a quick grab for it and instead whacked my knuckle on the table....well the air turned blue and my index finger is now twice its size and has a massive red and black bruise...ouch...some days it isn't even safe for me to get out of bed let alone go out lol...I should come with a government health warning...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the gorgeous mermaids from the C.C. Designs Sweet November Mermaids...these are so so cute and fantastic to colour...I used my distress inks to colour and coloured her hair pink to match the gorgeous papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories...beautiful colours aren't they...I couldn't resist glittering her up even if it did cause me pain, with some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust and added a bow using the lush Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and finished with a blue button from the Ice Storm - 25g bag if buttons, everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and Im also entering it for the The Squirrel and the Foz Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm sitting in, all the doors locked, windows sealed and covering myself in bubble wrap just in case today...have a great day today and watch out for that glitter glue its lethal lol.
Mina xxx
p.s. dont forget to let me know if the photo is blurry to you too

distress ink colours used

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

hair - tattered rose

eyes, top and tail - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

watch out for head butting bees...

Good morning everyone are you having a good week?, enjoying good weather too I hope...ok hands up who thought we went to Ikea yesterday...nope...as Ikea is about 1hr 15mins from us we really didnt fancy sitting in a card for all that time in 27degrees...isnt it weird how it can be so hot but cloudy and dull, so instead we had a little mooch in town looking for Phil's Birthday present (yes hes 21 again today)...I hate shopping for men dont you, if you ask a woman what she wants she can give you a whole list to choose including prices and where they can be bought but ask a man and theres not a thing he wants lol...so I have his card (of course) but nothing to give him yet...the only idea I had our Daughter has pinched for her gift for him, cheeky girl...after our town mooch and lunch we were sitting in the garden and I was watching all the bees playing amongst the Nasturtiums and being nosey headed over to watch them gather their nectar...they are so relaxing don't you think...I got a little bit too close and got head butted by one of them, I don't know who was more shocked me or the poor bee although it did fly away probably wondering what the hell it flew into lol...I'm so pleased Phil was inside getting a drink he would have just shook his head and done that little grin...you know the one don't you girls lol...right now for my card for today and its using another of the brand new Summer Adorables from Sugar Nellie...did you get any of them yet, if you did I would love to know your favourite if you haven't seen them all pop on over to Funky Kits and have a look...I love this Ballet Student one she is stunning to colour...all those beautiful folds in her dress and that amazing hair...I used my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories, I added a ribbon bow from my stash and finished with a couple of pins pushed through the bow and a stunning chocolate coloured resin rose from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag...the paper pad and cabochons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Crafter's Cafe Challenge too...Phil's back at work today so I'm going to make him a roast dinner (his favourite) for dinner and our Daughter and her other half are coming for dinner to celebrate his birthday...so I will probably be flitting between the kitchen, garden and my craft room most of the day...whatever your up to today have a fantastic relaxing one and watch out for those head butting bees lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - stormy sky

dress and shoes - tattered rose, tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

icky...

Good morning everyone...yep I slept in and forgot to schedule my post last night oops...how are you all and is the weather any better where you are?, I hope so because summer has completely abandoned us here...we went to the cinema last night and because it is ages and ages since we were there I had totally forgotten how noisy people are...why would you pay to see a movie then make so much noise eating and chatting that it spoils it for others lol...anyway 3d glasses on we settled down to watch it and about 20 mins in something caught my eye...the couple next to me were cuddled up she had her legs and feet across his lap and he was rubbing her feet...gross how icky is that and considering how close they were to me very inappropriate...now I have thing about feet I hate to even touch my own so you can imagine how much this grossed me out...Phil's face was a picture when I nudged him lol...I just turned from them a bit but every now and again at an exciting bit in the movie the feet rubbing would get just a little over zealous lol...but beside from that the movie was ok, not the best I have ever seen but not bad and Brad Pitt is ageing very very well...right now onto my card for today...I'm loving these beautiful new Return to Fairy Glen stamps from Sugar Nellie aren't you...this is the cute Live Laugh Love stamp coloured with my usual distress inks and loads of glittery wings...the fab papers are from the Prima 6x6 Tea Thyme paper pad...I love these pretty papers they are so summery and fresh...I finished with a large cream satin bow and a Mini Spray Cream (3 Stems) from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge (sketch 250) and I'm also entering it for the Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge and the Craft Your Passion Challenge too...I'm off to catch up with some DT work for next week while I'm away (yes there will still be some posts lol)...whatever your up to today watch out for stray feet...ick

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

dress and shoes - spun sugar, victorian velvet

flower - peeled paint, spun sugar, victorian velvet, scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

Princess Mina...

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

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

crown - scattered straw

dress - Iced Spruce, scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

for all you digi lovers...

Good morning everyone sorry I'm a bit late...I was sick yesterday, I think it was something I ate but it hit me a bit and knocked me off my feet...hopefully its gone now (well there cant be much left lol)...so back to normal, we have had two days of the most glorious weather but normal weather has been resumed and this morning is cloudy and drizzly as usual, well that didn't last long did it and the temperature has plummeted from 20 to 12 degrees, in other words normal for Northern Ireland lol...isn't it strange how we take our own area for granted I was watching a tv programme about the north coast while I was in bed yesterday and it was about the Giants Causeway, now this is only a few miles from us but its years and years since we were there and I had totally forgotten how amazing it is...it got me thinking about all the places around here that are real crowd pullers but we never go to...I feel a bit of research coming on and a few trips out...just goes to show you should check out your own area every now and again and visit all the things you forget is there doesn't it...right now onto my card for today and its one for all you digi lovers...I love Sweet Pea stamps but haven't many as they are so far away, although Crafts and Me do sell a lot of them...did you know they sell digis?...no me neither...I saw an ad for them on facebook last week and couldn't resist...I spent ages deciding what to buy but managed to get it down to three Elaine Cox digis to start with...isn't this fantastic Elaine Cox's Maggie digi just stunning...look at those amazing eyes...I coloured her with distress inks and of course glittered her wing, I used just one sheet of Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for the sketch I used...the sentiment is from the same pad and I finished with a Prima flower...the sketch is from Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge and the Crafty Creations Challenge (old is the paper and new is the image) too...there goes the hole in my head again lol...I'm resting up today as I still feel a bit wobbly on my feet and my stomach aches a bit but that might be hunger...whatever your up to today I hope your well and happy and have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - peeled paint

lips - tattered rose

flowers - peeled paint, shabby shutters

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

can you ever have too many spring flowers?...

Good morning everyone and yes its finally here...well at least on paper anyway lol...there's me ranting on about technology yesterday and guess what I got...a Samsung Galaxy tablet lol...oooohhhhhh I so love a new gadget but I promise (my hand is on my heart as I type) I will not be playing with it in coffee shops unless I'm all alone and need to look busy and not like Billy-no-mates lol...the sun was actually shining for our last day of Phil's holiday yesterday so we decided to head for the coast...well that was the plan until we saw the three mile long traffic jam of people who thought the same thing...well I guess great minds think alike...ok now onto my card for today and its for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge, this time the choice of theme was mine and I chose Spring Flowers...yes I'm an optimist lol...I chose to use the beautiful Hannah Lynn's Daffodil Springs from Crafts and Me for my card...there's nothing that says spring like Daffodils is there?, btw did you hear because of the weather there apparently a shortage of Daffodils and come to think of it there aren't the usual clumps on the verges that there usually is...that's a shame isn't it?...I coloured her with distress inks and used some papers from a Christmas pad would you believe...they are from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove paper pad I bought ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card and finished with a tag from the same pad, a scattering of spring flowers, some punched leaves and a gorgeous Cosmic Green/Gold Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me made into a bow, this is gorgeous glittery twinkling ribbon and it holds its shape beautifully...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the The Crafty Bloggers Network challenge and the Creative Creations Challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today as my lovely Phil is back at work and I have some spare time, boy those Husbands keep you busy when they are on holiday don't they lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and if you have time pop on over to the Crafts and Me Challenge to check out the rest of our DT's makes...they are lush

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot

eyes - milled lavender

outfit - punice stone, milled lavender

daffodils - scattered straw, antique linen, shabby shutters, bundled sage

shading in background - stormy sky

anything to mend?...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a great week...well my lovely Dad is off on his travels, hes off to my little Sisters in Belfast for a couple of days and then to England for Birthday celebration no 2...at this rate he will have more birthdays than the Queen lol...its our wedding anniversary this week and Phil has taken a week off work so we can spend it together (can I hear everyone go aaaaaawwwwwww lol)...I'm not sure what we will be doing but at least we have a week to catch up with things in the house and do some travelling around visiting places we have said we would, I just wish the weather was a bit nicer, oh well the picnics will have to go on hold anyway, unless we want to freeze our butts off on the frozen ground that is lol...I have the cutest sweetest Mo's Digital Pencil cutie to show you today...how beautiful is Fairy Needle?...I really enjoyed colouring this sweetie with my distress inks and used some of the beautiful papers from the Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts a while back so its out of stock atm...I added a pink ribbon bow, a flower charm and a pink twine threaded sentiment charm to finish...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Love to Create Challenge and the Craft Your Passion Challenge too...we are off to get food shopping out of the way today so we can head out if and when we want too...lets get all the everyday things done today Phil suggested...he has good ones now and again doesn't he lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a great day and manage to get out and about

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit and wing - spun sugar, victorian velvet

thread - peeled paint

needle and shading - pumice stone

Birthdays...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day either as a Mum or a Daughter...we had plans but my poor Daughter had to work so she is coming to cook for me on her day off during the week instead, I got some beautiful presents though...small thoughtful things instead of one big thing though....you know the kinda things you said you liked but didn't think anyone was listening, well they were...I even woke to a present from Phil of some Elizabeth Arden goodies I needed...so a lovely day...my Dad woke to his first Birthday surprise too...my youngest sister whisked him away to a night in a posh hotel, a totally shock and surprise for him I haven't heard from any of them so hope everything was brilliant...well that's surprise number one there's a few more to come before and after his birthday on Wednesday...fingers crossed he will love them all...right now onto my card for today which just happens to be a Birthday card lol...this is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month was my turn to host and I chose Girly...so anything girly on your card or project...I cant wait to see what you come up with...I used this stunning new stamp from Wild Rose Studio this little cutie is called Birthday Girl...isn't she so so sweet...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with more of the stunning papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Divine, I love this lush pad and don't seem to be able to stop using it, I think its all the tiny embellishments on the papers that seem to finish it off...I finished with a lush ribbon from my stash and some of the Mini Open Roses - Pink ...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenge 4 Everybody Challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Challenge too...I'm going to have a crafting morning this morning then maybe a catch up with my Sister and Dad when they get back, I cant wait to hear how it went...I hope you have a fabulous day and if you have time pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly Challenge to see what the rest of our fab team came up with for this challenge

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit - pumice stone, Victorian velvet

hair - antique linen

table cloth - spun sugar, tumbled glass

table leg - frayed burlap

cake - antique linen, Victorian velvet, shabby shutters

books - antique linen, shabby shutter, Victorian velvet, crushed olive