lllluuuuurrrrrvvvvvveeeee....

Good morning everyone yep its me on time bright and early...your eyes aren't deceiving you lol...I hope your all well and having a great start to your week, well did you all have a good weekend and did you get up to anything exciting?...oooohhhhh I forgot to tell you yesterday but my poor Dad burst a blood vessel in his eye on Saturday...omg it looks horrendous like something out of a horror film and gave me the total judders, but hes fine we popped into the opticians and were told 'it happens' he probably sneezed or blew his nose too hard and his cataract surgery is fine and cant move now cause that's what I was worried about...phew that was a relief I had awful visions of him having to have surgery on it again...I still cant look at him without getting totally grossed out though lol...the reason I'm back bright and early this morning is because today's card is for our new Hearts/Love monthly challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I couldn't resist this little darling Magnolia LF release stamp isn't she gorgeous with her little robe and fluffy slippers...shes called Tilda Rose Scent and I used my usual distress inks to colour her...the amazingly gorgeous papers and sentiment tag are from the Kaisercraft - Curiosity 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad and I made a bow using Marianne D Lace and finished with a couple of buttons from the Prima Buttons - Tea-Thyme pack, everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Feeling Sketchy Challenge and Im also entering it for the Crafty Calendar Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge too...well I'm busy busy busy today...need to start dealing with things no more time for brooding or feeling grumpy and down...its time to brush ourselves off and start again...I think you know when its time don't you...whatever your up to today I hope its a relaxing fun day for you all...speak to you all tomorrow

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

curlers - tattered rose

robe - tattered rose, shabby shutters

slippers - tattered rose, shabby shutters

perfume bottle - pumice stone, tattered rose, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

Happy Birthday cheeky...

Good morning everyone are you all looking forward to your weekend? anything exciting planned?...I learnt a good lesson yesterday walking up the stairs I spotted a sliver of black ribbon I must have dropped and picked it up to put in the bin, I don't know who was the most shocked but I know who screamed as the spider wriggled in my fingers...it went one way and I ran the other lol...lesson learnt?...wear your glasses at all times lol...uuuurrrrrgggghhhh just the thought makes me squirm...ick ick ick ick ICK...the worst thing is I didn't find it after I had settled down either, so there's a terrified spider lurking in the dark somewhere needing a tiny spider therapist and waiting to get its revenge...my card for today is just a little bit 'cheeky' (sorry I couldn't resist the pun lol)...this is the cutest little Magnolia stamp called Bonny Tilda from the Magnolia With Love collection...I coloured this cutie with my usual distress inks and glittered her wings with the same glitter I used for these fabulous butterflies from the Wooden Flourish range, these are the Magical Butterflies FL341 ones and the glitter glue is the Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...the lush paper is also Magnolia and is called Magnolia Blue Flowers 12" x 12" Paper, isn't it just so pretty...I finished with a ceramic sentiment and some lush satin ribbon...everything except the ribbon and sentiment are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Stamp With Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...I'm having a relaxing crafting day today as I don't think the rain will stop long enough to get any gardening done...I'm definitely a fair weather gardener lol...whatever your up to today remember to make sure you know what your picking up, it could be a nasty surprise...have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

bow - tumbled glass

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

my first try at light ink colouring...

Good morning everyone, thank you all so much for your birthday wishes they meant a lot to me and I enjoyed reading them so much too I will catch up with you all this week to thank you in person...great dinner last night the chicken it was fab but...major cheesecake disaster...the cream cheese I bought was a slimline one and I didn't notice, so with the higher milk instead of fat content meant my cheesecake mix didn't set in time...so a rethink was needed, it tasted great and was like thick whisked cream in texture so I chopped up the lush Oreo base to a thick crumb and served the cream mix with the crumb with grated chocolate and orange on it and wow it was delicious...so dessert disaster averted, isn't it amazing what we can come up with when we have too lol...our beautiful Daughter and her other half bought me a lush snood scarf in blue, its beautiful and jewellery and a pedicure set, Phil bought me two leather and fabric bound books for sketching and writing ideas in, they are so stunning I will take a photo and show you and he bought me new make up brushes (badly needed for a while) see we think men don't listen lol and my lovely Dad gave me cash to buy something I wanted...we had a lovely dinner and loads of giggling and conversations, so my Birthday was brilliant and couldn't have been more perfect...I got an email last week from someone asking about using distress inks to colour a lighter stamped image and if it would work, I hadn't a clue so thought well give a go girl...I stamped this stunningly cheeky little cherub in using the palest ink pad I had which was a Memento London Fog pad, I had to heat set it though as it isn't waterproof unless set and there you go distress inks work with it ok although I had to adjust the amounts I used and its still not perfect but as a first go not too bad...what do you think?...this stamp is from the brand new Magnolia With Love collection and is called Bonny Tilda (and its on sale atm too)...isn't it just so so cute and just a little bit cheeky lol...the paper is from Magnolia too and is the Red Romance 6x6" Paper I finished my card with two Heart Paper Frames (Doilies) - 10cm some Ruffle Rose - Red and Sonia Rose - Ivory flowers, a strip of lace and a ceramic sentiment...everything except the lace and sentiment are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts the fab sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fairytale Challenge and the Lovely Hanglar or Sweet Magnolia challenge too...I'm having a chilling colouring day today I want to try a few more images in the pale ink to see if I can improve my shading with them...whatever your up to today I hope its a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

floodgates opened...

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

Mina xxx

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

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

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

trim is a merged mix of frayed burlap & Barn door 

the house hunting is over...

Good morning everyone did you all have a wonderful weekend, I hope so...it was so hot here yesterday but very cloudy and heavy, you know those kinds of days...we went to the garden centres and spotted some wonderful bargains which I will tell you about in a couple of weeks...a few weeks ago we went to see a house and it was one of those places that had no curb appeal at all it looked like it was made from lego and bits stuck out all over the place so we went in with our minds already made up I think...as soon as the door opened and I spotted the ceramic victorian tiles inside I knew it was something special...long story short it has all the original doors (thankfully double glazed windows), plate racks around the walls, wooden floors, original banister, claw foot bath and the icing on the cake a huge massive newly fitted shaker style kitchen with a dining room attached with double doors which open fully to a large deck and a few steps down to a private gravelled garden, it is stunning inside...that's why we were at the Estate agents last week to finalise some papers...we have a moving date of 6 weeks...we are over the moon and I have been looking at colour schemes, furniture, wallpaper for the last few days, I think that's why we went to the garden centres to stop me dragging Phil around wallpaper shops lol...isn't that amazing but very scary too, I cant believe how much we have to do in six weeks...aaaaarrrrgggggghhhhh packing my precious craft room (there's a extension room in the new house just perfect for my craft room)...anyway I will keep you posted with photos of before and after when we get the keys...seems ages away but it will go pretty fast I think...phew sorry for all the waffling, now onto my card for today which is using this beautiful Tilda from the Summer Memories - Rose Garden Tilda, I love this collection don't you and great for any occasion, I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - The Lake House 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad , I love this lush pad, the gorgeous are stunning...I finished with a grey organza ribbon and a sentiment stamp from my stash...the sketch is from Simon Says Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stampin' for the Weekend challenge and Craft Your Days Away challenge too, everything I used except the ribbon I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm off for a haircut this morning as Im getting that busted sofa kinda look, I bet you know exactly what I mean lol...I knew it was time when my lovely Dad stared at me while we were having coffee and said 'when was the last time you had your hair cut girl, its looking a bit shabby'...cheek lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, scattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
trousers and hair bow - pumice stone
trouser turnups and top - victorian velvet
roses - spun sugar, shabby shutters

a Happy Easter bunny...

Good morning everyone and Happy Easter to you all, this year is just flying by isn't it...whhoooosssshhhh and its Easter...I still buy my Daughter, her other half and Phil Easter eggs you know, I just dont seem to be able to get out of the habit...do you still buy your grown up children Easter eggs or is it just me...although they don't complain about it lol. One year when our Daughter was 6 she got an amazing 28 Easter eggs, I think we were still using them for rice crispy buns at Christmas lol...after that we asked people not to buy them for her it just seemed such a waste as she never was a great sweet eater but give her a Sunday roast and stand back lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this week I'm the host and its our special monthly challenge and the theme is Anything Goes, so lets your imagination run riot as long as it has either a hAnglar or Magnolia stamp used on it...I chose this cute Bunny Tilda stamp I bought ages and ages ago, I love this stamp and its fab to colour, I used distress inks and the fantastic papers are from the Glitz 6x6 paper pad Pretty in Pink, I love this pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...gorgeous rich pinks toned down with chocolates and greys...lush...I finished with a stamped sentiment, a mixture of different size roses, yes they are roses and not paper cut outs lol...and I added some punched leaves and fronds...the lush sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Cardmakers and Ribbon Carousel challenge...I'm having a crafting chilling day today as I'm all alone for the day, well that's the plan anyway...whatever your up to have a wonderful start to the Easter weekend and whatever your up to have fun
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
bunny suit - spun sugar, pumice stone

Im baaaccccckkk....again...the fastest card I have made

Good morning...again...I hope your all well and you had a fantastic week in our unexpected sun...the weather at the farmhouse was fantastic, it was like being on holiday and my Dad loved it, it was the first time he had been down to the farmhouse and I don't think he wanted to leave he loved it so much, we were out and about every day and went for a fantastic meal on Wednesday for our anniversary, I had the best roast beef I have tasted in my whole life, it was so good I even dreamed about it that night lol...when we came home from being out on Thursday the local farmer was cleaning out his cow shed and spreading it on the fields (surprisingly unsmelly actually) and my Dad and Phil just sat and watched him for hours????...is that a man thing do you think, I went inside for a shower and my Dad says where you going, I answered 'well there's just so much sh*t shovelling a girl can watch in one go'...so true isn't it lol...I made the fastest card today and I'm really not happy with it at all but it will have to do until I get a good crafting session done this afternoon and the thing with coming home after being away is all the shopping etc you have to do isn't it...groan...anyway I used this cutie Magnolia Tilda stamp, she is one of my favourites and so so sweet with those flowers behind her back, I think shes called something like Secret Tilda but don't quote me as Im not sure...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunningly soft papers from the Kaisercraft Pink Gelato 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, its so soft and gorgeous, I added a cut up doily for lace and a soft lilac ribbon, the tag and flower are from the same pad too...I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Fairy Tale challenge too...right I'm off to get ready to go to the supermarket....oh joy of joys lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

blue and green should never be seen...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...well I'm still being a recluse and didn't go out yesterday I think I need to give myself a really good shake or one of you need to give me a slap or two lol...the good thing is I'm having fun colouring and playing while I'm reclusive, although I have done a bit of cleaning too, I even scrubbed out one of the bathrooms and bent down to put bleach in the loo and plop went my glasses, the air was blue and that wasn't cleaning products but my language lol...I suppose it could have been a lot worse and not been bleach they were covered in but we will gloss over that thought...see I knew cleaning wasn't good for you, I hate the smell of bleach and no matter how hard I scrubbed my glasses they still smell a bit of it...I really need some fresh air now don't I...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...this week its our lovely Suzan's choice and she chose 'Use A Doily' now I know it doesn't look like I used one but I cut mine up and made the lace frill from it...the cute little Tilda is Sweet Christmas Holly Tilda I coloured her with distress inks and with the addition of a few pearls I think she works brilliant for anytime of the year don't you, I teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft Blea and Ivy 6.5x6.5 paper pad the Tilda and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I finished with the cut doily lace, loads of different size pearls and some Satin ribbon 15mm SAXE BLUE from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, the fab sketch is from the Sugar Creek Hollow challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and Fab 'n' Funky challenge...right I AM going out today so will report back lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
dress and ribbons - stormy sky
sock shadows - grey marvy pen

hugs for you...

Good morning everyone well its almost the weekend, do you have anything amazing planned?...I think we might take a trip to Ikea this weekend we got a rather large Ikea gift card from Phil's Mum for Christmas and its a closely fought thing to buy either a chair that Phil has his eye on or some more storage for my craft room...I personally think we should split it and he can put more to his half to buy his chair, I think that's fair don't you, and he should consider himself lucky I didn't sneak up with my Dad during the week and blow it all on storage lol...I did a bit more sorting on my craft room yesterday but still haven't finished sorting but its tidy enough to take some photos I think...so look for some this weekend oh and I will have some birthday candy for you all too probably on Sunday...right now my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge and this time its a lush sketch from our wonderful Jane, great sketch to work with, I turned it so I could have this fabulous A Little Gift Tilda from the Sweet Christmas collection sitting on the centre even if she does look like she might slide off at any second...the lush paper is the New Magnolia Paris Red Peony 12x12 paper, I love it, its so soft and pretty looking isn't it and of course I couldn't resist cutting out some of those beautiful Peonies for embellishments could I...I finished my card with a stunning Dark green wired (25mm wide) organza ribbon, a Made with Love tag charm, Fancy Heart Charm and finished with a cute little sentiment, everything I used except the sentiment is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and Anything Goes challenge...I am determined to get finished my tidying today before Phil gets home...so that's my day sorted...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and if you have time don't forget to pop on over to Just Magnolia to see what the rest of our team came up with this week...so much gorgeousness
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes shading - pumice stone
sock stripe, gift ribbon and hair ribbon - barn door

shock horror no DP's or ribbon!!!!

Good morning everyone are you all managing to stay warm in this chilly weather, I hope your all toasty warm...I'm so pleased to tell you we are now the proud owners of a brand new 94cm wafer thin HD TV and about time too I hear you cry...when the lorry pulled up with the two man team to bring the TV in I thought omg how heavy is this thing, well really guys your either very weak or getting a bit of overtime because I lifted it out of the box and put it on the stand myself and I promise it isn't heavy, now the old fatter type weighed a tonne getting it on the floor nearly ripped my shoulders out so I resorted to the dragging method, we have all used that method havent we...phew well at least its here and settled in for Christmas and I don't have to send for you all to come sort them out for me...ok now onto my card for today are you all sitting down as I don't want to get the blame for fainting spells, I didn't use any DP's or ribbon or buttons or anything actually (well I might have gone a bit overboard on the old glittery stuff mind ya)...ok pick yourselves up lol...my card is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge and its our lovely Sara's turn to host this week and her choice is white plus one...so loads of white and any one colour you want to use too...I chose this fantastic Tilda I haven't used for ages, I have a feeling shes called Chilly Tilda, I coloured her with one of the new Tim Holtz limited addition colours called Evergreen bough, lush colour isn't it and it matched perfectly with the glitter board I used for my snowflakes...the only other thing I used was more glitter board in white, when I got these all together to use I thought oh oh this isn't going to work but I think it looks ok...I'm entering this for the DYSU challenge, and the Deep Ocean challenge...my poor Dad hurt his hand the other day and when I saw him yesterday it is up like a balloon and really hot so he either has a bad infection or its broken, no amount of persuading would get him to go to hospital for an xray but come hell or high water he will be going today so that's my day sorted, I'm also going late night Christmas shopping tonight with our gorgeous Daughter, don't know what for though but I'm sure I will find something lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and its not too cold
Mina xxx

twinkle twinkle little snowflake...

Good morning everyone I hope your all doing great, did any of you watch the new series Pan Am? how fabulous is the soundtrack to it and how about Frozen Planet wow wow wow to those amazing filmakers, the phtography is beautiful I almost feel like Im there when Im watching it, well I'm happy to report yesterdays supermarket shop was trouble free lol...at last here's two photos taken with my new camera...its a fab bit of kit, it seems to suck all the light available into my photos, which makes them seem a bit blue to me, but maybe that's because my others were a bit yellowish...I would love to know what you think of them, good and bad as I'm still not sure if they are right yet, they look far too bright to me...I made chicken soup last night...by the way if you would like the recipe for my chicken and veg soup let me know I will do a post for it, although I think soup is a personal thing and most people have a family recipe they love...my beautiful Daughter and her other half came for dinner (I thought they would when they knew soup was made lol) and we had a lovely evening chatting and enjoying our dinner together, I love family meals don't you...my Dad is off to my Sister in Belfast for a few days then later this month he is off to England to my other Sister...I love him getting away, not that I don't miss him but I think its good for him to travel, get about and meet up with family and old friends...right now onto my card for today which is for the Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge and wwwooohhhoooo this week I'm the host and my choice is...er...ribbons...well come on now what else could it be, so lets see all your gorgeous makes with either a teeny bit of ribbon or a huge amount and anything in between...I cant wait to see what you come up with...I used this gorgeous little Tilda from the new Sweet Christmas collection, I'm loving this collection aren't you, this little one is called A Little Gift Tilda, isn't she so cute and I love her plaits, I coloured her with distress inks and added a little bit of glitter to her wings, ribbons and gifts...I used her along with more of the Magnolia Sweet Christmas paper, this gorgeous paper is called Vintage Hellebore's, the stamp and paper is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I used some beautiful two tone sheer ribbon as a ruffle and added a big bow and finished with some Anita's sparkly glitteration white snowflakes...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge and I'm sure there was a couple of more I was going to enter it for but I cant find my note book...it comes to something when you need a note to remind you of where you stashed your notebook lol...well I'm having a crafting day today whatever your up to have a fab day and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia challenge to check out the rest of the DT's amazing makes
Mina xxx

tisnt the season yet...but its getting there...

Good morning everyone are you all enjoying this wonderful warm weather, when we were coming home from dinner out last night it was 20degrees would you believe, we hardly ever reached that during the day in our summer never mind at night lol...dinner was lush, I had the best piece of salmon I have had in ages and Phil ate far too much as always and moaned about it afterwards...as usual...it was a lovely family night...he was like a cat on bricks yesterday, couldn't keep still and kept sitting on the edge of the sofa with his leg jiggling because he couldn't sit still...do you get the feeling hes feeling better...if he doesn't sit still I will be pushing him back to work lol, told you he would drive me nuts when he was feeling better...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar and StAnglar challenge, this week is a fabulous sketch by our lovely sweet Jane...its a brilliant sketch...I used this gorgeously cute Tilda from the Magnolia Cozy Family Collection, shes called Tilda with Laced Flag and I coloured her with distress ink and paper pieced her flag, I so want a pair of red boots like hers don't you, shes from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and Nikki has an amazing 20% off Magnolia stamps too, so hop on over to grab a bargain or three...I teamed her up with my favourite paper pad atm which is this lush new Fancy Pants 6x6 paper pad Saint Nick, all the paper (even Tilda's flag) and the tag is from this lush pad...the sentiment stamped on the tag is from the Essential Sentiments range these are little mini clear stamp sets from Kaisercraft and at only £2.25 they are so so handy, this is from the Christmas set, I finished with some gorgeous ribbon and punched snowflakes...I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp anything goes challenge...I feel the need to do some crafting today so will be colouring this morning I think...whatever your up to today have a fantastic day and enjoy the weather
Mina xxx

watch out for falling leaves...

Good morning everyone and thank you all for your wonderful comments for yesterdays blog hop, you all seemed to love the ribbon theme...I wish I felt up to commenting back but I honestly read every single one and appreciate them all and hopefully over the next few days I will be able to comment on everyone I have missed...no docs appointment but never mind at least my leg isn't falling off so what have I to complain about lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...its our wonderful Jacques choice this week and she has given us a fab sketch with the added challenge of Fall/Autumn is in the Air

I have no idea what this Tilda is called but I love her hat,scarf and gloves don't you...and how much do I want a pair of those boots, in this orange red colour though...I coloured Tilda with distress inks (oh btw have you seen there are three new limited edition colours in Distress inks)...the lush paper is from My Minds Eye and are called At the Beach/Large Polka Dots...gorgeous colours isn't it...I wanted to add a bit of interest so I drew a tree and cut it out shaped it and raised it above the background, I punched loads of leaves from the same paper and some glitter board in Green/Blue and Red and I finished with a ribbon and knot...I love these rich autumn colours don't you...I'm entering this for the Creative Inspirations, Crafty Catz Weekly and Cute Card Thursday challenges all they are all Anything Goes...I'm hopefully going to get a bit of crafting done today as I'm not used to just being able to just make them one at a time...whatever your up to today watch out for falling leaves
Mina xxx

butterflies everywhere...

Good morning everyone a quick question for you, whats a collection of butterflies called?...oh and by the way remember a while back when I was shopping for pictures I bought a box frame, well I forgot I made a butterfly picture with it, I will take a photo while I'm away and show you when I get back, I, quite pleased with it and I used offcuts from the dining room wallpaper so it matches the room perfectly...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this weeks is a sketch by our lovely Queen of crafting Bev...I chose to use this beautiful Tilda for mine, I bought her from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but cant for life of me remember what shes called, the Magnolia papers are from Bunny Zoe's too, they are from the Butterfly Dreams collection the pink one is out of stock but the Lilac you can still get...I finished with a stunning Prima flower and some seam binding and of course teeny tiny punched butterflies...I don't often use pink and lilac together but will defo use it again as I think it work brilliantly...have a wonderful day everyone and don't forget to hop on over to Just Magnolia to see the rest of the DT's amazing work
Mina xxx

an oldie but a goodie...

Good morning everyone, what you up to today, I'm all alone (waiting for the aaaaaawwwwww's)...Phil is away marshaling but he hasn't been for a while so I'm not complaining and he enjoys it so much, he bought himself a little tent so he can go the night before as a few are quite far away...he hasn't asked me to join him yet thank goodness as unless the tent has room service, an en suite and a hairdryer then I'm not interested...I'm built for comfort not camping I think...well my card for today is a day late because of the blog hop yesterday so its for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this week its a Special monthly challenge and its our lovely Jacqui's turn to pick the added option which is circles...could I find a totally circle sketch...nope...but I managed to add some circles...I used this beautiful Maggie which is an oldie but a goodie I think, I haven't used her for ages and ages...I coloured her with distress inks and glittered the roses and butterfly...the lush papers are from K&Company Julianne paper pad, I love this pad and you can get it in a try me version from Bunny Zoe's Crafts too...I used more of the fabulously lush ribbon from my friend and added a couple of buttons to finish...well I'm off to pack as I have nothing else to do, I cant go to town as would you believe there are no buses from my area to town on Saturday or Sunday, I think that's shocking don't you, have a brilliant time everyone and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia to see the amazing work from the rest of the DT
Mina xxx

fancy a game of bingo...

Good morning everyone, thank you all so much for your emails asking how my neck is...its ok, still stiff and sore when I turn it but at least I can turn it now, which is progress...don't you just hate it when delivery people let you down, I bought a carpet cleaner (to clean my beige carpet that is showing the results of me walking around in bare feet inside and out) and was told it would be delivered yesterday morning...did it arrive, nope...rang the delivery people and its on its way...did it arrive...nope...so I had to make a quick trip to the supermarket after 6pm instead of our wandering coffee sipping time we usually go at...my Dad was flabbergasted at how little time it took us lol...now I have to start all over again today waiting and ringing etc aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh why cant people just deliver when they say or if there's a problem just let me know so I'm not hanging around like the ghost of Christmas past wandering past the window because I hear a van...bet you have been there too...right now enough complaining onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge and this weeks is our wonderful Donaldas choice and she chose a bingo challenge, I love it when you can chose what to use don't you and bingo challenge remind me of the one and only time I went to Bingo with my Mum, I fell asleep oops...she didnt take me again bless her lol...I chose this lush Tilda from the Magnolia Dreams collection called Beautiful Tilda I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunning papers from the Echo Park Victoria Gardens paper pad aren't they beautiful, so fresh and bright, I also used a Prima Corina flower all these are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a Tim Holtz ticket, gorgeous blue gems and some seam binding scrunched into a bow...the fabulous sketch is from Cute Card Thursday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamp with Fun Summer challenge and Stampin' Royalty bring on the bling challenge...I'm stuck in again today of course so don't know if I will get out at all and please don't say its a good excuse to tidy my craft room, you know what happens when I do that...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia and see the amazing creations from the rest of the team
Mina xxx

getting all sentimental...

Good morning everyone...did you all enjoy the blog hop yesterday, didn't the DT girls do amazing work...I hope you remembered to leave a comment on all the blogs so you get a chance of winning one of the Mo's vouchers...well yesterday I had a crafting day and my lovely Phil made pies for dinner, our Daughter, partner and my wonderful Dad came for dinner too...lovely night...we had one of those conversations yesterday, all you married people will know what I mean...I was in my craft room and Phil had the TV in the kitchen really loud, so when I heard him come out the kitchen I shouted down 'your TV is really loud, I cant hear myself think'...his reply 'I haven't switched it up...it was that loud ten minuets ago'??????????...now what on earth does that mean, after a few seconds thinking I started laughing and he couldn't understand what I was laughing at...it wasn't that the TV had got louder, I had thought it was loud since it had been switched on but hadn't had the chance to tell him is all lol...Phil's a wonderful chef, cooking to me is a chore, I think its because I spend so many meals alone, my idea of cooking is a bowl of cereal...Phil cooks himself full meals with dessert...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this week is the amazing Claudia's choice and she chose Out of the Box Sentiments, so use something that's not the normal sentiment, if you check out the DT's blogs you will see what I mean, I used this gorgeous new Magnolia stamp from the Winner Takes it all collection, shes called Basket Tilda, isn't she so cute with her basketball...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these wow papers from the Authentique Blissful paper pad, the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I finished my card with a printed sentiment, some buttons and a grey satin knot, the fab sketch is from Tuesday morning sketches challenge, The Ribbon Reel challenge and I'm also entering it for A spoon full of Sugars Birthday challenge...I'm off to the supermarket today with my wonderful Dad and Phil and maybe out to lunch or some of Phil's lush pie (he made a secret one so we could have some left as everyone takes bits home with them)...whatever your up to today have a wonderful one
Mina xxx

just add glitter...

Good morning everyone, just Im still not here but am...well you know what I mean dont you...todays card is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge and this week was my turn to host and I chose the theme of Glitter but of course Im not there to host so the fab Bev is doing it for me, thanks Bev...this fantastic Tilda reminds me of my Daughter when she was small, she used to wander round picking up daisies and hiding them behind her back then presenting them to me with 'A slouwer a Mammy', I will remember that little lisping voice and saying forever...so I always love colouring this little beauty, shes called Secretive Tilda and shes on sale atm at Bunny Zoe's Crafts, a massive 25% off, well she is when I typed this so hope she still is when it goes live, did you know that the new the Winner takes it all Magnolias are also on Bunny Zoe's now too...I coloured Tilda with distress inks and added some glitter to her flowers, I really didnt have any glittered paper for her so used these lush K&Co Julianne paper pad papers and glittered the leaves on it
this is a lush paper pad and I use it loads...I added a glittery ribbon and a sentiment from my stash and finished with one of the lush new Prima Audrey Rose-Snow flowers...I know its rare for me but I love the way this card turned out for a change and I do love love love colouring grey hair...Im entering this for the Feeling the Blue challenge over at CES challenge...when you have time please pop on over to Just Magnolia and see what the rest of our amazing team came up with for my Glitter challenge...have a wonderful sunny day everyone
Mina xxx

a vision in blue ready to tuck in...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I met with my wonderful Dad yesterday for coffee and general putting of the world right, he told me he had got a speeding ticket through the post and was ranting and raving about it and was very angry with himself for being 'so stupid' as he put it, well I told him that anyone that drives as fast as him wants to thank his lucky stars he has made it to 79 without one...I don't think he was impressed but it made him chuckle anyway and cheered him up lol...hes off on his travels again this weekend, off to my Sister in Belfast for a few days then flying to stay with my other Sister in England for a couple of weeks...I love to see him head off, don't get me wrong its not that I wont miss him because I do a lot but I just think at his age you never know what will happen to stop him being able to travel so he should go for it just in case don't you...right enough waffle Mina onto my card for today which is for our new challenge over at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...this week its our fabulous Dena's turn to host and she chose the theme of cooking, well I think I must have been a bit hungry when I made this as it has more to do with eating than cooking lol...I used the stunning Simsalabim Tilda (who's on sale atm at Bunny Zoe's) but masked off her wand and put a magnolia knife and fork stamp in its place, I also masked Tilda and used one of the Magnolia Muffin stamps behind her, I think they worked together for this don't you...I coloured them with distress inks and teamed them up with some more of the amazing new papers from the new Magnolia Sweet Rainbow collection papers, these are called Blue Foliage and Turquoise Plaid, I love these new papers, so so lush...I also added some of the new Marianne D Flower ribbons, this one is the White Organza...I finished with a beautiful satin edged ribbon called Sheer Elegance White from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, the fabulous sketch is from Stamp with Fun challenge, I'm off to catch up on some DT work today so if you don't hear from me send food parcels (with a few crafty things stashed inside) lol...have a fantastic day everyone and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia to check out the rest of the teams amazing creations
Mina xxx