spring bride...

Good morning everyone I hope you had a fabulous week and have something even more fabulous planned for the weekend...now heres a little tale about the sign of our times...I was sitting on the sofa in our living room minding my own business when out of the corner of my eye I spied a couple of young fellas maybe about 11 or 12 hanging around next door and they were looking around and just about to head up next doors path...so being the good neighbour that I am (pauses to shine halo lol)...I peeped through my blinds to make sure they knew that someone knew they were there...they turned around quickly but then jumped on next doors wall and started walking back and forwards along it with me watching...then to my great surprise they started making rude gestures and ranting, raving and swearing (very loudly as I could hear them through double glazing) at me...which took me and a little old lady walking on the other side of the street by total surprise...this went on for a few minutes then I decided to go to the front door to say something to them...of course they ran off but came back after I went in and started again this time on our wall...this happened a few times until I decided to just ignore them to see if they would go away...they did of course eventually but came back two times in the evening to start again, Phil was home by then and they got the shock of their lives and quickly ran off when he went out to them...when I was growing up I wouldn't have dared do anything like that never mind stand shouting and swearing at an adult, my Daughter was taught good manners too...were you the same?, whatever happened to good manners and respect, I truly despair for our youth when parents don't even teach them these basics...aaaaarrrrrggghhhhhh...rant over...well for now anyway lol...right now I have come off my soap box I will get on with my card for today...how stunningly beautiful is this new CC Designs stamp...this is the lush Mashi's Muffins Engaged, I coloured her with my usual distress inks...I teamed her up with these gorgeous new Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad...aren't these the perfect colour combo...I finished my card with a bow made with some Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and a flower from the Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Sun Kiss pack, everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Seems a Little Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge too...I'm off out to town with our beautiful Daughter today for a girlie days shopping and lunch...whatever your up to today watch out for cheeky wee teenagers lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

veil - spun sugar

dress - pumice stone, spun sugar, tumbled glass, peeled paint

garter - spun sugar, tumbled glass

flowers - tumbled glass, peeled paint

ooohhhh for eyes that colour...

Good morning everyone are you all having a fantastic week?...it tiddled down all day here yesterday, my lovely Dad says it just waits for us to head for a shop and the heavens open...it doesn't really it just seems that way lol...we had a little run out yesterday and for coffee then I got home and had just settled down and Phil arrived home really early and said come on lets head to town for coffee, one minuet nothing then two invites in a day...well whats a girls to do eh lol...so off to town we went and a second cup of strong coffee in less than two hours...its a good thing caffeine doesn't effect me in any adverse way isn't it and I do love a good cappuccino don't you (especially one that comes with apple pie and cream on the side)...a little mooch around the shops, a new nail varnish then home for dinner...so not a bad day and much better than the last few days in my pool of cold induced self pity...even my sniffles seem to be drying up now thank goodness but I didn't kiss my Dad goodbye as normal just in case though...right my card for today...how amazing are the eyes on this stunning Hannah Lynn image from Crafts & Me...she is the beautiful Monica, I coloured her with distress inks and used more of the amazing DCWV papers (the ones that are my prize in my candy)...they are so worth winning so if you haven't joined in yet there's still a few days left to enter...I finished with a stamped sentiment on vellum ripped and glued as my sentiment and of course more cutting out (totally addicted now aren't I lol) of the stunning flowers from the paper...the fab sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Kaboodle Doodles challenge and the Stamp N Doodle challenge too...its supermarket day today with my Dad...I think if I was ever to be rich I would so pay someone to go to the supermarket for our shopping while we sat somewhere nice sipping tea putting the world to rights...I wouldn't forgo the trips just the task lol...whatever your up to today have a fab one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes, dress and wings - mixture of bundled sage and shabby shutters

paper distress with antique linen

doorway to a winter wonderland...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...there seems to be a lot of sniffles and colds going about atm I hope you haven't had them...I had a really quiet day yesterday, just colouring and having a little play...Phil didn't get the results of his exam yet but I will keep you posted and he seems very confident he did ok...a little bit of technology news for you, did you know we in Northern Ireland were the very last to get the digital service, how shocking is that that it took years for the whole of our small country of the UK to supply it to everyone there...they even had a little ceremony here for the final switchover and it was on tv too...not quite the celebration kinda thing I would have thought, yeah ok lets celebrate because it took so long to happen...go figure lol...I broke my mobile too, it was well on its way out though so no real sadness,so I need a new one I kinda fancy the new Galaxy so if any of you have it could you tell me what you think...or if you have a different mobile that's excellent above and beyond whats expected let me know that too...I need some recommendations fast as there are so many on the market atm aren't there...anyway now onto my card for today...have you seen these new stamp sets from Just Inklined...such fabulous value and perfect for Christmas...this scene and couple stamps are from the Holly Berry Lovers set...there's loads on the set though not just these...I coloured them with my usual distress inks and used some scraps of a double sided paper from Teresa Collins Noel collection called Noel sheet music...gorgeous isn't it...I ripped the paper and turned it back to try and make look like they were walking into an old book page...what do you think did it work?...I finished with a stamped sentiment...I didn't think it needed anything else...Im entering this for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, Squiggles stamps challenge and the A & T Emerald Faeries challenge...right its off to the shops day today, I need some put the world to rights coffee with my Dad today and a little mooch around a diy shop for draught proofing for the front doors...ooooohhhh life is one mad social whirl isn't it lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one and stay out of the draught's

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

scene - antique linen, scattered straw, barn door, 

frayed burlap, shabby shutters, pumice stone

woman - barn door, peeled paint,frayed burlap

man - blacksoot, peeled paint,frayed burlap, barn door

more bling and a huge bow...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, I have finally got the photo posting working, bloody BT again I think...my wireless connection has only just reappeared after 2 months...have you got anything spectacular arranged for this weekend?...its tiddling down here after two glorious days of sunshine, my lovely Dad came home last and he thinks hes to blame for the weather bless him lol...we headed for Belfast yesterday but decided to stop at a pub for lunch on the way and didn't get any further, I would hate to see it if they were busy the main course took 45 mins to arrive, I ordered salmon in a dill sauce and....it was microwaved I was flabbergasted...microwaved for goodness sake, Phil asked me how I knew but you know don't you, freshly cooked food will be hotter on the outside than the inside and microwaved is warm on surface and volcanic in the middle isn't it...wont be going back there I think...we turned around after that and headed for the closest town where we hit the shops to buy Phil a Birthday present for Monday (21 again lol), he doesn't want anything and every time I picked something he just shrugged his shoulders, I hate shopping for present for men don't you...right now onto my card for today, I can remember what this A Day for Daisies image is called I have hunted my digi folder and cant find it, but it has to be there I think its a case of cant see for looking lol...anyway I coloured her with distress inks and glittered just about everything I could...the amazing paper is Graphic45 Steampunk Debutant Modern Marvels isn't it stunning, I love Graphic45 don't you, I finished with a stamped sentiment using a Kaisercraft stamp set and a tag from the papers and of course this huge massive organza bow, lush isn't it...the fab sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday and I'm also entering it for the Digi Makover Challenge and Delightful Challenge...we are off to the stupidmarket with my Dad today to stock up his cupboards for him then maybe a family dinner tonight, I'm hoping while I'm the shops something comes to me for Phil's Birthday present....well I live in hope lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
flowers - pine needles
shading - pumice stone

a cutie in green...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and not getting any of the virus that are floating around atm (btw whats the plural of virus?)...we went shopping yesterday and put the world to rights over a pot of tea and a coffee so you are all safe to leave your homes and enjoy the fresh air lol...I love those chats with my Dad he gets so animated about some things and if we could just get him around a table with the world leaders he would send them away with red ears, maybe that's all they need lol...he was talking about going away to Sicily in June and is so looking forward to it although he does find air travel harder and harder it will make it much easier that hes travelling with my Sister and Brother in Law this time, at least he wont be tucked into a corner by a porter and left there for hours until he is due on the plane...you know if I was a porter and I know they are busy, I would at least push him to a cafe to get tea or a newsagent to get something to read wouldn't you...I guess they just don't think about it...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...this time its our monthly challenge and our fabulous Sara's turn to chose an added option and she chose Swirls and Pearls, although of course you don't need to use this option and can just go with the Anything Goes monthly challenge instead...I used this fantastic new Summer Flower Tilda from the new Magnolia Summer Memories collection, I'm loving this collection and bought three of the new stamps and loads of the papers too, well I couldn't resist could I lol, I coloured my Tilda with distress inks and the fantastic papers I teamed her up with are from the new Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Vintage Marketplace (this jumped into my basket too lol)...this is a fantastic heavyweight paper with lush summer designs on, the stamp and papers I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a few white swirl rubon's in the corners, a fab coloured seam binding, pearls and a flower charm I bought at the last craft show...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge and One Stop Craft challenge too...I'm going to do some clearing out of drawers today I now don't all swoon, me clearing out things lol...well I have to make room for Phil don't I...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and try your best to squash the urge to clean
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin-antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
wings - pumice stone, spun sugar
dress - shabby shutters
shoes - worn lipstick, shabby shutters
bow in hair and flower - worn lipstick
tights - pumice stone

A little tale to tell...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have a fantastic weekend planned...a few of you have noticed over the last few months that I haven't quite been myself and have emailed to see if I'm ok...so I decided to tell you all about it, on Christmas week my lovely Phil was told the place he had worked at for the last ten years was closing down (yeah I know not the best Christmas present eh), there was nothing wrong with the work or even lack of it, their tax incentives were finished and they were closing it and moving to England...so from then on we were in a kinda limbo and as you can imagine very worried, his job finished at the beginning of March, that's the bad news...good news Phil started his new job yesterday...even better news its here with me in fact only 3 miles from where we live so no more commuting and living away from home...so excuse me, cover your ears quick but...wwwwwwwwwwwooooohhhhhhhhooooo my mans home for good...mind it may take a bit of time to get used to after all those years just pleasing ourselves....oh no I will have to start cooking again wont I, Phil is lovely but cereal for dinner isn't really his thing I think lol...over the last week or so we have been up and down to the beautiful farmhouse we so loving brought back to life to empty it, we thought it would be really sad and although we are a bit sad we wont ever be there again we are too happy at being together full time to let it upset us, mind our house looks a bit like an Ikea bring and buy sale atm, does anyone need some furniture?...so there's my tale, ok so why didn't I tell you all before?, well we all have problems in our lives don't we so I'm sure the last thing you needed was to hear more from me...right now onto my card for today which is using this fantastic Sugar Nellie stamp, this is the cute Dougal, I love him to bits don't you...hes one of the Home Grown Soft Centres stamps from Funky Kits...they are so so fab...I coloured him with distress inks and used some amazing paper from An ABC Primer collection, its called Alphabet Soup and the red edged images and alphabet strips are from the reverse...I finished with a scrunched up red bow (I haven't used one for a while so thought I needed the practice lol) and a couple of red star buttons...the fabulous sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge and I'm also entering it for the Totally Papercrafts challenge and Stamptacular Sunday challenge...my fab Phil is dropping me off in Belfast this morning to pay a little trip to the craft show (if you see me say hello), he is a keeper isn't he...then hes off to the farmhouse for the last few bits and pieces before picking me up on the way back then we are off to Ikea (we are keeping Phils new wardrobe and we dont have any bedside cabinets to match, well thats how I convinced Phil a trip was needed anyway lol)...and out for our dinner on the way home, phew I'm tired just thinking about it lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and don't forget to pop by tomorrow for my followers candy
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
antique linen, frayed burlap, walnit stain
pumice stone for ground shading

beautiful Belle...

Good morning everyone have you got anything exciting happening this weekend...go on tell me I'm dead nosey you know lol...I got a phone call from my Dad yesterday did I fancy a trip out?...how says I, apparently over the last few days he has been taking longer and longer jaunts on his own in the car and he is driving like a dream, sneaky man lol...well we went out and even got to have 'put the world to right' coffee too, hes like a new man, super confident and fascinated at how much he can see and the distance he can see...he said something that made me have a big lump in my throat though, he said every morning he wakes up hes scared to open his eyes in case his eye has gone back to the way it was before.... aaaaaawwwwww I gave him a hug and told him it wont happen now its fixed it will stay fixed and its only a few more weeks before the other is done too...it isn't an urgent case like the last one and he can see with his glasses on fine just in case you think hes driving around half blind, I may be a bit nuts but I'm not nuts enough to get in a car with a half blind man I promise you lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this fabulously gorgeous new Ribonita release sweetie from Sugar Nellie, shes called Belle and is available from Funky Kits...I coloured her with distress inks and added just a hint of glitter (couldn't resist, once I open the glitter glue I have to use it lol), the fab papers are from Basicgrey Marjolaine collection and are called Tuxedo Pie, lush colours aren't they, I dinished with a fab satin ribbon, sentiment, buttons and cut some of the flowers from the paper to finish...the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge and Sweet Stampin' challenge too...I'm heading to town today to see if I can get any ideas for an Anniversary present for Phil, I haven't a clue at all so any ideas gratefully accepted...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx
p.s. if you havent joined in my candy yet you better hurry up today is the last chance it finishes at 12 midnight gmt tonight...good luck everyone

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
dress - tumbled glass, shabby shutters
shoes - shabby shutters
headband and ribbon - stormy sky
shading - pumice stone

its still M.I.A...

Good morning everyone are you all well and happy, we finally got a bit of sun yesterday but I'm still struggling with my photos and still cant enlarge them, but if you click on them you can see them larger...I'm probably doing something really simple wrong but my poor brain cant get round it at all, maybe I just need new glasses and they only look blurred to me lol...I managed to get some rummaging done yesterday and found loads of things I had forgotten I had (its shocking isn't it how much stash we have that we forget about isn't it) but my mojo is still sadly lacking and missing in action, I must have a look under my beds for it, that's where I usually found things I have lost lol...I have a couple of cards and some DT cards made for this week so I'm going to just forget about my missing mojo for a couple of days and hope it will sneak back when I'm not looking...its sneaky like that you know...anyway onto my card today which is using some of the paper I found yesterday I had forgotten about, I have the Prima Madeline paper pad but I bought this sheet ages before I got that and forgot about it, I love that beautiful Rose paper side but the other is an amazing blue sheet music, gorgeous collection this isn't it, this paper is called Prima Madeline Spring Tide, I want the job of thinking up the names for papers, wouldn't that be a brilliant job imagine getting paid to look at lush papers all day...the cute little twins stamp is a Fizzy Moon stamp called New Addition, I bought it from Dunhelm Mill and coloured it with distress inks, I finished with one of the sentiments from the same Fizzy moon set and added a shocking pink bow and some blue buttons...the fab sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz weekly challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge...I'm going out with my lovely Dad today for lunch, I'm taking him out to Town for his lunch, we still haven't heard anything from the Hospital and we are going with the 'no news is good news' attitude...have a fabulous day everyone
Mina xxx

the look of love...

Good morning everyone, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend planned, we are off shopping and with a lot of luck and parking I might just get the rest of my Christmas shopping list, I'm finally getting the hang of my camera now if only the weather would just get a bit better I might get some brighter ones...this is very like the card except the colours are a bit brighter in real life...I will do a recipe post for my chicken and veg soup as soon as I can and thank you all so much for your kind comments on my photos...I'm having trouble again with my ISP, its BT so if any of you UK crafter's can recommend someone else as a provider that would be brilliant as BT is making me scream and yell at my poor little laptop every day, I know its them now as my TV has gone to pot too so they are out of here for sure...right onto my card for today, how amazingly stunning is this beautiful In The Manger digi stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil, I love it to bits and it is stunning to colour, but then which Mo's image isn't...Mo has really excelled herself with this beauty though, look at the expression on that beautiful angel, a look of pure love...I coloured it with distress inks and please take note...no glitter...I know its shocking but no fainting please lol...the stunning gold embossed paper is from the Kaisercraft Velvet Ensemble 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, gorgeous isn't it, I used some gold flecked cardstock for edging and the star too and a fantastic wide lush ribbon to finish...the fab sketch is from Pink {INK} sketch challenge and I'm also entering this for the DYSU challenge and Stampactular Sunday challenge too...I'm off to get dressed bright and early as I want to hit the shops before the crowds (well hopefully anyway lol), whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx
colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
straw - antique linen, frayed burlap, walnut stain
manger - frayed burlap
hair - antique linen
blue swaddling - stormy sky, weathered wood
Angel wings and clothes shaded using a Marvy light grey pen

Midwinter.....

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and happy, we had a great day out yesterday, I bought ribbons, papers, loads of finger lift tape (ssssoooo cheap) and lots of goodies but just little goodies, I will take a photo for you to see them all when I have a bit of time...oooohhhh and my gorgeous Phil bought me two 12x12 paper storage boxes with files from the Really Useful Box Company to store some of my papers (oh no does this mean I have to sort out my papers now)...notice I said some lol...then we went for lunch and he bought me a new coat from Marks & Spencer's...so I did very well didn't I

my card for today isn't a card, its a book using one of my favourite Christmas carols and two of my very favourite new images from Mo's Digital Pencil...I knew when I saw Urchin with Bird and Ragged Angel I would make something different than a card with them, do you liked the faded look of them, I printed them like this, if you would like to know how to let me know and I will do a separate post on it tomorrow evening as I think this one is long enough lol

I coloured them with distress inks and glittered the wings (there's a list of colours at the end of this post)...aren't the papers I used so beautiful, distressed and faded...these are amazing digi papers from Michele R Designs, I bought every single one of Michele's papers as they have such a beautiful faded vintage feel to the...stunning, these two are Winter Blues 1 and 6...I added some glitter and the words to the papers and printed them on linen card then mounted them on pearlised card

I had an awful job punching the holes for the ribbon as I only have a rubbish hole punch, it took so much work I gave myself two blisters...I finished with some beautiful glittery mesh ribbon that I used to tie my book together

I'm entering this for the Truly Scrumptious challenge and Stamptacular Sunday challenge, I'm sure there was a anything but a card challenge I was going to enter too but cant remember it...and even worse cant remember where my list is...thanks for sticking with me for this long post but believe me it could have been longer as I had more photos so think yourselves lucky lol...I'm off out with my Dad and Phil today, dont know where yet but I'm sure we will manage a trip somewhere..whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

blue shades - Stormy Sky
pinks - Victorian Velvet
Hair and boots - Frayed Burlap
shadows - Pumice stone

I didnt steal it honest...

Good morning everyone, whats going on with the weather, freezing cold and wet then last night warm and humid, I give in trying to figure out what to wear for bed...you know the weather is weird when you need to keep a change of nightwear on the end of your bed don't you lol...but at least the warmer night kept the creepy crawlies outside where they belong, btw thanks for all your tips yesterday for keeping them at bay Im working on using them all just in case...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge...this week its our lovely Michelle's choice and she chose either Fall or Back to School, I chose Back to School as I wanted to use this cutie smart little hAnglar boy, I coloured him with distress inks and used this lush My Minds Eye paper, would you believe this is a Christmas paper from the Holly Jolly Collection called Reindeer Fly, the reverse makes more sense though lol...I added a Thickers sentiment...ok now I admit it the pencil is an Ikea pencil but I just put it in my pocket by accident the last time I was there honestly...mind it works perfectly for this doesn't it...I finished with some fab Natural Button Twine from the Pretty Little Ribbon shop and a few buttons...I'm entering this for the Craft us Crazy school theme challenge, Stamptacular Sunday Just Saying challenge and the Totally Gorjuss Nothing Square about me challenge too...my Dad is back from my Sisters today so I'm going to the supermarket with him and for put the world right coffee too, whatever your up to today have a fab one
Mina xxx

for the love of paper...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and keeping warm, it was a beautiful day yesterday here then the rain started at about 5 and hardly stopped and its not quite chilly...well I'm chilly anyway...I spoke to my gorgeous Phil last night and he is coughing and has a sore chest...oops...I will get the blame wont I...I managed to get a bit of crafting done this morning before I went out with my lovely Dad, who by the way cancelled his appointment and we went for coffee instead and now hes off on his travels to Belfast to stay with one of my Sisters...right now onto my card for today which I promise is my last Christmas card this week...I just cant help it though with so many lush amazing papers about I love making Christmas cards don't you...this pad is so stunning, its one of the new Fancy Pants 6x6 pads from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and its called Saint Nick, I love love love it so much I didn't follow any sketch but let the paper make the layout...the teeny stockings and sentiment are cut from other sheets of the same pad...there should have been two more stocking but I lost them, couldn't find them anywhere then discovered them stuck to the back of my fluffy dressing gown last night lol...the gorgeous little girl is from the new Christmas release Bildmalarna stamps...this sweetie is called Mimosa Christmas Light, I coloured her with distress inks and finished the card off with some gingham ribbon and a bow...I'm entering this for the Crafty Ribbons Anything Goes challenge, Winter Wonderland Girly challenge and the Stamptacular Sunday Just Sayin' challenge too...I'm working on a couple of projects at the min that I have wanted to have a go at...ssssshhhhhh cant tell you yet though so its off to the craft room for me today, whatever your up to have a fantastic day everyone and watch out for sticky things stuck to your bum lol
Mina xxx

love is...lying around smelling the flowers

Good morning everyone...well Im off on my travels again, my gorgeous Phil has found a new house so Im travelling to where he works to have a little nosy and give my approval...or maybe not I will keep you posted...he says its an old fashioned farmhouse that needs a bit of work, I have a feeling his bit of work might be my huge amount of work lol...Im going today and wont be back until Saturday and Im hoping and hoping the weather will be just a teeny bit warmer there but I wont hold my breath...hopefully my Dad and Sister got to Cyprus ok, I have texted and tried ringing but no joy yet but Im sure I would have heard if their flight hadnt left...Dad would have been on the phone for a little rant Im sure lol...my card for today is for the TeddyBo challenge which this time is for Teddybo only so no Bea allowed, this little fella is called Lazy Days and I coloured him with Distress inks, I think he looks like hes pondering a love in his life dont you...I teamed him up with these lush papers from We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue collection...I love the colours in this dont you...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge with a spin which is Make it Masculine so as its a Teddybo I thought it fit perfectly, Im also entering this for the Fab 'n' Funky challenge and Stamptacular Sunday challenge...right Im off to pack an overnight bag and be off on my travels...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx