its coming...well maybe...

Good morning everyone how you all doing?...yes its me again I think I'm on a mojo roll this week and about time too I hear myself cry lol...have you noticed the daylight has started to hang about a lot longer...is that spring I see just peeping out of the ground too, Phil planted some stunning tulip bulbs last year and he says they have started to peek out to see if its warm enough yet...I feel like running into the garden and screaming to them 'get back under its too cold' but I think the neighbours might think I have gone a bit loony...still a while to go for spring yet I guess but we can live in hope of an early one cant we...my card for today has a real spring like feel to it I think with all those pretty bright colours...this stunner is a new Saturated Canary stamp called Eva, isn't she gorgeous and wouldn't you just love a figure like that?...yep me too lol...I coloured her with distress inks (and yes this is using old card) and used more of the beautiful Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6" x 6" Paper Pad for her...I paper pieced her skirt and top and cut one of the flowers from another sheet from the same pad...I added a twirly bow made from stunning Organza Ribbon - Cerise (25mm Wide), I also edged some of the paper with some Marianne D Romantic Lace to finish...everything I used on my card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Crafting from the Heart Challenge, City Crafter Challenge and the Craft-Dee bowz challenge too...I need to get my butt in gear today for some last minuet things for Phil and my Dad going away so need to get motivated to move I think...right war paint on and away we go...whatever your up to today have a lovely bright one and I will speak to you all tomorrow for this month Mo's blog hop

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

eyes and lips - shabby shutters, victorian velvet

skirt and sleeve - victorian velvet

flowers - spun sugar, victorian velvet, shabby shutters

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

splish spash...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...now own up who left the tap on over Britain...go on own up...how shocking is all this rain, it tipped from the sky not ordinary rain but bouncing off the roads, the only time I have seen similar was a tropical storm in Barbados...then after all that rain snow started then rain again which of course turned into sleet...ten minutes later we are tucked up in the house and the sun is beaming through the windows...what on earth is going on is the world ending... all those poor people in the floods in England my heart goes out to them, I watched them on TV kast night and one young man who had only bought his house last week was knee deep in water and struggling to use a bucket to get rid of it he burst into tears and I just wanted to give him a hug the poor young fella...I hope you havent been touched by all these horrendous floods and your safe and dry...right now enough weather ranting from me and onto my card for today...this sparkly beauty is from Sugar Nellie and is a stamp by Leanne Ellis of course...shes called Mermaid...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and added loads of Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...I teamed her up with more of the lush Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6" x 6" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts..the ribbon is another of those 'never throw things away that might be useful' things...its from a perfume box I think...dont you just love it when you use something you have saved for a rainy day...I finished with a metal rose charm I bought ages ago at a local shop...the fab sketch is from the Seems a Little Sketchy Challenge and Im also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and the Crazy 4 Challenges Challenge too...Im off to my craftroom today to hide from all the rain...whatever your up to today stay dry and safe

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

star - shabby shutters

tail - worn lipstick

shell - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

things happens...

Hi everyone I bet you all thought I had disappeared didn't you...well despite all your prayers and well wishes and good thoughts the thing we were dreading happened so over the last few days we have been trying to get our heads around it...don't worry its not life threatening or anything like that but it is life changing so it will take a little while for us to get a grip off...I cant really talk about it in depth atm as there are family members who don't know and it wouldn't be fair to them for them to read it on here would I...all I can say is please please please keep sending us those positive vibes...we really need them atm, we are trying to stay positive but its super hard sometimes isn't it...right now back to posting I think...oooohhhh the weather here is so yucky today there is hardly a drop of light in the sky and its being like evening all day long hence the rubbish grey photo...so apologies in advance...what have you all been up to since I last spoke to you?...anything exciting or super interesting...go on spill the beans lol...right now for my greyish card for today...how cute is this little fella, look at that sad little face...only Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil could draw this cutie...hes called Broked B C and I coloured him with my usual distress inks and yes I am still struggling along with that paper lol...the lush papers I used for my card are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6" x 6" Paper Pad I got from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and all I added to finish was a few gorgeous yellow buttons...I was going to add some ribbon but didn't think it needed it...what do you think?...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 challenge and I'm also entering it for the Doodle Pantry Challenge and the Fairy tale Challenge too...I'm off to sample some lush home baking now and then an evening in front of the tv...what you been up to today?...I will speak to you all bright and early tomorrow and whatever your up to for the rest of the day have fun

Mina xxx

it doesnt always have to be white...

Good morning everyone how was your weekend?, anything exciting...well all our plans came to nothing yesterday we didn't move anything as the heavens opened and threw everything at us...a bit of rain a bit of snow and sleet and was blowing a hurricane, so we decided not too risk getting anything too wet and nobody relished lugging stuff around in that weather...we didn't even get out to buy her house warming present either...so not a very exciting day all in all but we did head to the pet store for some essentials and for me to coo over the Degu's...if you haven't heard of them look them up but be prepared if you don't like mice kinda things...I think they are so so cute and always manage an aaaawwww...oh and I nearly bought a knitted cable sweater for the kitten but caught sight of Phil's 'your nuts woman' look out of the corner of my eye and changed my mind lol...now for my card for today...now who says wedding cards always have to be white?, well this one certainly isn't, in fact I think it has a bit of every colour in it...this stamp is from Wild Rose Studio and is called At the Altar...its beautifully elegant isn't it, I coloured it with my usual distress inks adding a bit of Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust, the stunningly beautiful papers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6" x 6" Paper Pad, I added a bow made from my favourite Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) its so easy to make lush bows with this wired ribbon I used a sentiment from the Kaisercraft Mini Clear Stamp set - Wedding and added some beautiful roses from the Marianne Design Paper Roses - White/Blue (RB2214) pack and for a finishing touch I stuck on some beautifully coloured pearls from the Mixed Bag of 5mm Flat backed Pearls, everything I used today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the 4 Crafty Girls Challenges, The Ribbon Girls Challenge and the Delicious Doodles Challenge too...I think its a bit of tidying, organising boxes and maybe a bit more colouring practise for me today, thank you all for the encouragement yesterday I am definitely going for the dodgy paper reason for rubbish colouring...well you all agreed with me too didn't you lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant fun one for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot, frayed burlap

dress - pumice stone, spun sugar, victorian velvet

suit - pumice stone

bouquets - victorian velvet, ripe persimmon, stormy sky, peeled paint, shabby shutters, spun sugar

shading - pumice stone

dont you just love a bargain...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a fantastic week...thank you all so so much for all your birthday wishes and sympathy...it wasn't fair though was it lol...omg before anything else did all you people from the UK see Corrie last night?, ok hands up who blubbed like a baby...yep me too...what a soppy lot we are aren't we, it was so so sad and my tears were for poor little Roy aaaaaahhhhhh bless him...I had a lovely dinner with all my family last night and got loads of lovely little presents, our Daughter is the best at buying little bits and pieces you had forgotten you even wanted...I mentioned before Christmas I needed  a new purse and yep there is was alongside, face goodies, jewellery and chocolates...I always look forward to any goodies from her...right now at long last a card, I know shock horror a real live card...not the best colouring but at least I managed to make one...this beautiful stamp is one of my prizes for my mega candy and there's a few other Sugar Nellie stamps too...I will put a photo on of the Sugar Nellie prize and if you haven't joined in my candy yet just click on the picture in the sidebar theres a load of lush prizes...this beauty is from Sugar Nellies Leanne Ellis range and is called If Only...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and the fantastically coloured papers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut 6" x 6" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...it has such lovely fresh spring colours in it...now don't we all love a bargain or two this huge flower on my card is actually a hair ornament from a pack of two I bought from Sainsbury's for the vast amount of £1 in their sale...Phil's well used to me by now and knew exactly what I wanted them for so didn't even ask lol...I finished my card with a few pearls, a lush white organza ribbon and a key hole from Tim Holtz...I made the sketch up as I went along and am entering it for the Addicted to Stamps Challenge, Brown Sugar Challenge and Craftitude challenge too...I'm going to spend today trying to get my colouring mojo back so fingers crossed a lot of hours locked in my craft room will do the trick or I might have to start taking lessons lol...whatever your up to today have a good one and don't forget to join in my candy and spread the word so everyone gets a chance

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit - spun sugar, shabby shutters

rose - ripe persimmon, shabby shutters

frame - shabby shutter, antique linen

you ready to hop...

Good morning everyone I hope your all safe and well...boy are we having a storm and a half here its blowing so hard I expect my patio pots to come flying through my kitchen window at any second...its funny I don't usually mind bad weather (but of course being British I have a good old moan about it lol) and love to watch a good thunder and lightening storm but wind like this scares the wits out of me...fingers crossed it goes away soon...right are you all enjoying our Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly blog hop then?...you should have arrived her from the super talented 

KALY'S

blog but if you didn't you just need to pop on over to the wonderful Anneke's blog to start at the beginning...and of course don't forget your comments along the way so you have a chance to win one of two $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil...our theme this month is Seniors so we had to use one of Mo's amazing older people digi's, there so many to choose but I love Mummu so chose Mummu's Letters for my card...shes fabulous isn't she

I coloured her monochromatic with my distress inks and paper pieced her dress as I wanted to give her an old photo sepia kinda feel...what do you think? did it work...the beautiful papers are from the Basicgrey Little Black Dress 6x6 paper pad I bought years ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab little sentiment is from another Mo's Digital Pencil digi called Serious Sharon...I finished my card with a lush sepia coloured organza ribbon bow, a flower and a plaster keyhole (from a bargain 99p Melissa Francis set I bought)...the next stop on our hop is the fabulously talented

JAK

I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the BasicGrey Challenge, Divas By Design Challenge and Crafty Creations Challenge too...I'm off out with my Dad today and will cling on to him just in case one of us blows away lol...whatever your up to today have a great one and don't forget your comments for a chance to win

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

only colours used for clothes, hair and shading - antique linen, frayed burlap, pumice stone

a grey and pink christmas?...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and had a fantastic weekend...what did you get up too, anything exciting...we didn't do a lot as my pain in the hip from falling has now turned into an ache in the bum lol...oh no does that mean I really have become a pain in the butt lol...isn't it strange that things break down when you really could do without the added expense, my phone finally gave up and went to phone heaven, mind it is 6 years old and cost me about £30 so I cant really complain can I...my lovely Phil offered to buy me an early Christmas present though so I didn't even have to buy one myself...is it just me or does it not seem crazy spending hundreds of pounds on a phone when the Samsung one I got does everything I need anyway and it even has an mp3 and radio that's a bonus and was half price at £49...oooohhhh I do love a bargain don't you and its a fabulous phone too I love it...right now onto my card for today...have you seen this new set from Mo's Digital Pencil...this little cutie is from that Valerie in Winter set of 3 stamps...its such a great bargain and would be fantastic to paper piece but for this one I coloured her with distress inks and glittered the snow and her bobble on her hat with some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...I kept the colours really simple and teamed her up with a pad I have had for ages...the papers are from the Basic Grey 6x6 Little Black Dress paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but that was a couple of years ago so it wont be in stock now...I added a stunning two tone organza ribbon tied in a bow and a lovely checked button (well I had to sneak one in somewhere didn't I lol and finished with a rub on sentiment...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the BasicGrey challenge and the ABC Christmas Challenge too...I need to get some crafting done today, well hopefully anyway so I'm having a craft room lock in...whatever your up to today I hope you stay nice and toasty ad warm wherever you are

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hat, scarf & gloves - pumice stone, victorian velvet

coat - spun sugar, victorian velvet, pumice stone

dog - frayed burlap, antique linen, spun sugar

shading - pumice stone

never trust a man with the remote ...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic day yesterday?...we went to the market but it was hardly worth it, just a measly half dozen or so stalls but we did manage to get some of our precious smoked garlic bulbs yum yum yum they are amazing in pasta sauce especially the seafood one I make and the mushroom and bacon one (can you tell we love pasta lol)...we went for lunch and treat ourselves to a yummy ulster fry, gorgeous but heartburn city for the rest of the afternoon though, so after our trip to get indigestion tablets for melol we had a little mooch around the shops and then off to meet my Dad for coffee and to buy him some new Christmas lights for his house as his have broken...then home to vegetate in front of the telly for the rest of the night, oh except for Phil making a Dundee cake for my Dad, he loves them and the store bought ones don't cut it for him anymore, so Phil makes him one every year and boy did it smell amazing...Phil switched the tv over to some rubbish new version of Predator last night then after about 40 minuets watching it he fell asleep would you believe don't you hate it when they do that, never give a man the remote he abuses the trust lol...I'm in charge of it from now on I think...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning digi from Crafts and Me...isn't she beautiful, shes called Gift of Winter and I coloured her with distress inks...wow isn't this Basicgrey papercombo just lush, its from their Nordic Holiday collection and is called Lift Ticket...I love the rich colours and all those flowers to cut out too, which is what I did, well it would have been a waste not too wouldn't it...I finished with the cut flowers and a huge green bow...I'm entering this for the BasicGrey Challenge, Sweet 'n' Sassy challenge and the Fussy and Fancy challenge too...we are heading to Londonderry today which is our closest big city, well when I say big I mean as big as they get here lol...whatever your up to today have fun and remember to keep the remote away from the men in your life it makes them fall asleep

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, freayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

dress, headress - pumice stone, peeled paint, barn door, glitter glue

tights - pumice stone, peeled paint

a beauty with a violin...

Good morning everyone...firstly thank you all so so much for the lovely comments for yesterdays photos, you really cheered me up...I spent a lot of time on Monday feeling very tearful and upset because I miss my family in England so so much, it was so wonderful seeing them all again but because it was a busy wedding and we were only there two days I didn't really get a proper catch up with any of them...the worst thing is I miss my Sisters which is shocking because one only lives 50 miles away so there's no real excuse for missing her is there, except sometimes everyday life gets in the way of the important things that are close to our hearts...I love my family so so much but like most people never really make the effort to show them, so slapped legs for me and all my family lol, my resolution is to contact one a day at least even if its just a text to see how they are...so thanks for cheering me up and for the couple of emails too they were lovely...I found another photo of my Daughter but one in which she is smiling, she has such a wonderful warm smile that stretches to her eyes and makes the world light up so it was a shame she wasn't smiling in yesterdays...I will ask her if she minds if I post it on here and put it on tomorrow if not...did you notice anything, none of my wonderful Phil, everyone I took he was either making a daft face for the camera or turning around lol...I will see if anyone has one of him near decent because he looked so handsome in his suit and lilac tie...I will let you know...right now onto my card for today which is for the new Crafts and Me Challenge...it was our wonderful Mona's choice this time and she chose the theme of Lace & Pearls...I used this amazing brand new Sara Burrier digi for my card, shes called Strings of Worship and will be available very soon in the Crafts and Me shop the paper I teamed it up with is from Basicgrey's Scarlet's Letters collection and is called Love Letters...I added some brown lace, a gingham ribbon and some pearls...the sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the House of Gilli challenge and the Fashionista Challenge too...I think I will head into town for my lunch today as I need to get out and a mooch, come on girls we all need a mooch now and again don't we lol...whatever your up to today phone or text someone you miss to show them how much you care and have a brilliant day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

wings - antique linen

outfit - antique linen, peeled paint

violin and flower - gathered twigs

the long awaited dress...

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a good week?...well the hair is cut but the girlie things had to go on hold as our beautiful Daughter had to work late so they will have to wait until later in the week...I did buy a navy nail varnish but having tried it out last night its more suited to Halloween than a wedding and with my very long nails makes me look like a wicked witch so I will go back to the idea of the diy french manicure instead I think...I have also been hobbling around the house in my new high heels...I never wear heels except boots I'm definitely a sneaker girl and even wear them with skirts...I love converse style shoes they are so comfy..so I thought I better try and get used to my heels, its isn't working though and I have started to look a bit like a kid in her Mums shoes and feel like one too lol...I think Phil likes the heels around the house though, well except for the tappy noise on the wooden floors...the photo of my dress and the cashmere cardigan I bought to go with it are below...the photo is very bad and doesn't do the beautiful heavy linen fabric and underskirt any justice at all but at least you can see the colours and get a better picture of what it will look like with the hat and shoes...right now enough wedding waffle lol onto my card for today which is using another of the gorgeous new digis from Sugar Nellie I'm loving this release are you?

this little bit of gorgeousness is called Forest Friends...I coloured it with distress inks and used a Marvy pen for the bright red...the stunning paper is from Basicgrey's Hello Luscious collection and is called Zesty...it isn't a Christmas paper but it works for it don't you think...I finished with a red gingham bow and a couple of green pearls...I'm not sure where the sketch is from but if you know let me know so I can give them credit...I'm entering this for the Craftymess challenge and the Delightful challenge too...I'm off to try and give  my mojo the kiss of life, wish me luck I need it...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair and animals - antique linen, frayed burlap

clothes - pumice stone, crushed olive, shabby shutters

red - marvy pen

shading - pumice stone

the dress that caused the second outfit trouble lol

someone slap me...

Good morning one and all, how are you all...you gave a real belly laugh last night reading all your stories of your mishaps too and it made me feel I'm not the only one who goes out in odd earrings lol...loved Coops story about the shoes...I had a friend who went out in two different shoes but one was flat and one had a heel and she didn't notice until she got out of her car lol...thank goodness I haven't quite reached that stage so far...I was all set for a crafting day then like a bolt of lightening remembered I still had the menus for my Nieces wedding to do...would you believe it took me 6 hours to print all the components and I still have to put them all together all 100 of them, that menu is imprinted on my mind now, if you see me agree to do something like this again one of you please slap me lol...then I remembered I hadn't done my challenge card for Crafts and Me...so many apologies for the shockingly bad colouring, you can really tell I did it in a hurry...so slapped hands for me and I will stand in the corner until I start to remember things...I may be some time lol...anyway onto my rushed card for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge, our theme this time is to use a sentiment on your card and I used this beautiful Crafts and Me Sara Burrier image called Morning Glories but I enlarged her and cut of the bottom of the flowers...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used a scrap of a Basicgrey paper I found while moving, I love the faded greens and yellows of it don't you but I don't know which collection its from...I finished with some lush gold knotted ribbon, a couple of pins, a scattering of pearls and a stamped sentiment...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the City Crafter challenge and A&T Emerald Faeries challenge too...I'm off out with my Dad today as I need more ink for my printer and am still looking for shoes for the wedding (dont worry I will buy my Dad a coffee while I shop for them I wont make him go around with me)...this outfit is never ending, is it just me or is everyone like this for a wedding outfit....its so hard to decided...whatever your up to today have a great one and if anyone mentions weddings to you give them a slap from me lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit and wings - crushed olive, antique linen, scattered straw

flowers - scattered straw, crushed olive, shabby shitters

flute - antique linen

massive hug...

Good morning everyone hows your weekend going?, I hope your having a brilliant one...hands up everyone who thought I wouldn't have a day off from the house?...well your sorta right lol...I did go shopping and bought some new red nail varnish, tried on shoes (didn't buy any) but couldn't find any clothes I wanted to brave the packed changing rooms to try on...then...off to buy paint for the house and drag poor Phil around a wallpaper shop...so I sorta didn't do anything in the house, well I did try to empty another bag but found out we have a hitchhiker, the downstairs bedroom has been our unpacking room so I went in to tackle some more and discovered when I moved a pile of cushions out flew one of the great big spiders we had at the old house, I dropped the bag on my leg and we ran in separate directions, Phil had a hunt but found nothing, my leg now has seven large lovely coloured bruises...I'm going to go on holiday looking like I just stepped out of a boxing ring at this rate...I told Phil I'm not emptying anything else from that room until he produces a body I can identify as Harry the Hitchhiker lol...right now onto my card for today, nobody else but Mo could produce this fantastic image could they, look at that massive hug she has for her Dad...how stunning is this Love You Daddy b image and perfect for a birthday for any lovely Dad...this is the ethnic version of the image so I did the skin darker, don't know if I managed it well enough though...I used my usual distress inks and teamed it up with these stunningly coloured papers from the Basicgrey Origins Collection called Relaxation...I finished with some brown gingham ribbon, a button and a glittery heart charm...the fabulous sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge...well I'm off to see if I can pick up some bargains at one of local garden centres today we need a few things to tidy up the front of the house and add a bit of interest...whatever your up to today watch out for any of Harry's big friends
Mina xxx
p.s. I will be back a bit later to announce the paper candy winner and tell you about my next candy so will speak to you then

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tea dye, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
girls outfit - shabby shutters, scattered straw
mans outfit - pumice stone, crushed olive, frayed burlap, shabby shutters
flowers - scattered straw, shabby shutters

strange and spooky...

Good morning everyone from the land of the boxes...that's what our house is beginning to feel like, I'm even having to start climbing over them to get into rooms, although I'm sure all you people who have done this will know exactly what I mean, there always has to be a huge mess before it all comes together doesn't there...I have to tell you about the freaky, spooky weather we had yesterday...it started as a cold really dark cloudy day, then it heated up so fast there was steam coming off the roads, then the skies turned black and we had thunder, lightening, sheet rain and the temperature dropped again, then bright red skies that looked like they were on fire, it was so spooky and strange, we just needed some hail and snow to finish off the set lol...I really shouldn't watch War Of The Worlds you know, the skies looked just like it did in the movie and freaked me out totally, it was all I could do to stop myself running down the street screaming 'the world is ending' (not really lol)...right now onto my card for today which is using the beautiful Jasmine from Sugar Nellie, I love this range of stamps don't you, they are so so pretty and girlie...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with a half sheet of paper I think is from Basicgrey but don't quote me on that I'm not 100% sure...I used a bit of kraft card for the design too...I finished with some lush pink ribbon and a knot, buttons and a gorgeous sparkly pink rose...the sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the In The Pink Challenge and Paper Pretties challenge too...guess what I'm doing today, bet you cant lol...whatever your up to watch the skies the end of the world is coming (I'm running down the street as I type lol)
Mina xxx
p.s. I forgot all about the mood board I will pop back later when I have more time and post it

distress ink colours
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - spun sugar, victorian velvet
frog - crushed olive
flowers and leaves - victorian velvet, crushed olive

every girl has a bad lipstick day...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a great week...ok hands up all those who thought I wouldn't get started again and would have another play instead...well your all right, I did start I promise I sorted out all my cards and bagged them up ready for Phil coming in to take them to the rubbish tip, which he did...but I did stop half way through for a play too....so best of both worlds...today it has to be finished though as Phil has said if it isn't done by the weekend he's going in to do it... aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh there is no way on earth I'm letting him rummage through my stash throwing everything he thinks is rubbish away, would you?...so it has to be finished...last night I came on here to read your fab comments and wow all your ideas were fantastic, some I had already tried, like the local special needs unit, they make their own cards to sell and don't take ones from other people...I have to tell you though I had hundreds of cards and I'm not exaggerating I promise you there were hundreds, when you think I make at least one card a day you can imagine how many there was, I just wouldn't have had enough hours in the day to sort them to give to different places, I have made a promise to myself though that I will try and find a way to sell some and give others away from when I move, I know there were a lot of you shocked at the thought of me throwing them away but I honestly didnt have anything else I coukd do with them in the time I had...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge, this time the theme is to use something digital so anything you want as long as it has a digital element on it...isn't this stunning Crafts and Me Sara Burrier digi called Phlox Princess just stunning, but shes having a bit of a bad lippy day, I used a deep pink ink for her lips and it mustn't have been quite dry when I made the card...I didn't notice until I was doing this post and it was too late to make another, so she will just have to put up with her lippy error...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers I found at the bottom of yet another pile of cards...they are Basicgrey from the Bittersweet collection, the plain one is called Crushed Berry and the patterned is Raspberry Cream...lush rich pink colour aren't they...I finished with some deep pink lace, a winged charm and a couple of pearls...the sketch I made up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Basicgrey Challenge and the Papertake Weekly challenge ...right I'm off back to my craft room for a few hours then out for coffee with my lovely Dad who is all well and back home again, he doesn't even need his glasses, although its weird to see him walking around without them...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx
p.s. has anyone noticed anything wrong with blogger, I cant change the colour of my font for my links like I used too, I used to colour my links to match my card (I know Im sad you dont need to tell me lol)...any ideas how I can fix it anyone?

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes and flowers in hair - shading pumice stone,
pink is a mix of worn lipstick and a touch of barn door

Under the Sea - mini blog hop Day 1

Good morning everyone I hope you all had an amazing weekend...we are up to the eyes in packing boxes for our house move but we managed to get quite a lot done this weekend...welcome to Day 1 of the brand new release from Sugar Nellie...you should have arrived at me from the amazing
PAT
if you didn't and you would like to join in the hop...pop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog for all the details, don't forget just for commenting on our blogs there are prizes to be won...

for Day 1 our stamp is called Under The Sea (I bet your singing in your head now lol)...isn't she so cute with her little turtle...I coloured her with distress inks and use this stunning Basicgrey paper from the Granola collection, its called Sunflower and I thought the colours were perfect for her...I finished my card with some shapes cut from the paper and a huge navy satin bow...the next stop on the hop is the fabulous
JANE
who is bound to have something beautiful to show you...all the sketches I'm using for the mini hops this week are from the Mojo Monday archive, I love their sketches and if I ever get stuck for one I dip into their file for inspiration

don't worry if your fingers are itching to get the beauties we show you this week they will be available at Funky Kits on Friday 3rd August so not too far away...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments for a chance to win...I will speak to you again at 9am tomorrow, whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
tail and top - stormy sky
beads - frayed burlap
turtle - scattered straw, frayed burlap, pumice stone

normal service is resumed...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a good week...well when I say normal service I mean theres no hop today so I can have a good chinwag with you all...brilliant news my lovely Dad has a date for his second eye operation isnt that fantastic, its the 1st August and he cant wait...his 80 year mot is going brilliantly isnt it lol...oooohhh I got a lovely suprise on Monday a dozen red roses from my wonderful Phil...why?...'just because' he says...all together now aaaaaaawwwwwww what a wee darling he is isnt he...my Dad is off on his travels again on Monday, I booked his flight yesterday he wukk be away for a couple of weeks again, I love to see him head off, its good for him to do it dont you think, you never know what lifes holds in store for you so go for while you can my lovely Dad...right now onto my card for today well it should have been on yesterday but I didnt want it getting lost before the hop card...its for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge...this weeks challenge is Birthdays which is quite an easy one I think as we all need birthday cards dont we...I chose to use the Frenchie Friends Michelle & JoJo digi from Crafts and Me for my card, shes a fab image isnt she, I love her bike...I coloured her with distress inks and used a half page of a Basicgrey Max and Whiskers paper called Clarence, I love the stripes and colours for her, I think it gives her a real french feel...I finished with some lace, a chocolate brown satin bow and a metal flower from Prima...I then added my Birthday girl sentiment using a glittery alphabet sheet for the large one and peel off (yes I know would you believe peel offs lol) for the small one...the lush sketch is from Papertake Weekly challenge but I turned it on its side, Im also entering it for the Paper Makeup stamps challenge and the Try it on Tuesday challenge...Phils off today so we are heading out to lunch and I might even drag him round estate agents (I hear can hear him groan already poor thing lol)...whatever your up to today I hope you dont have flooding like we have here to spoil it, I will be back tomorrow at 9am for our final blog hop day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
bike - crushed olive
hat and outfit - tumbled glass, scattered straw, wild honey
everything else - barn door, crushed olive, scattered straw
dog - pumice stone

watch out for flying germs...

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

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

Freaky weather and a bit of bling...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have a fab weekend planned...we went on our trip yesterday and got all our paperwork signed and sealed, its was bright sunshine all the way down and we were on our way back and were talking about the strange weather there had been in England with all the super cell storms and a hailstorm hit us, it wasn't even cold and these huge hailstone were bouncing off the car, it was one of those twilight moments when I expected to see a twister and be swept away to Oz but it stopped as quickly as it started and the strange thing was it was still sunshine...freaky eh...we stopped a couple of times on our way back and finally got home about 7pm...phew that was a long day as we left at 7.30am, poor Phil even had to stop on the way back as his foot had gone to sleep...we had chinese and watched the Immortals, I love greek mythology but I'm not quite sure which hollywood volume of greek mythology that film came out of as it sure wasn't a greek book lol...my card for today is using the stunningly beautiful Melissa image from Crafts and Me, how stunning is this vampire and her wolf...I coloured her with distress inks and added a bit of glitter (I know there's no wings but there is snow so glittered it was)...the gorgeous papers are a couple of loose ones from my stash and I think they are Basicgrey...I finished my card with some lace, more gingham ribbon (OI seem to have a thing for gingham ribbon atm dont I, and a stunning Prima gold glittered flower...the fabulous sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday...

for those who asked here a quick photo of the two blingy brooches I bought at the Antique fair last week...gorgeous aren't they...you can see why I was attracted cant you being half magpie lol...we are off out with my Dad today, well that's if I can get myself awake long enough, we are still shattered from yesterday...I will catch up with you all tonight on my hopping and whatever your up to watch out for the freaky hailstorms...oh and don't forget I have lush ribbon candy for you all tomorrow
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
clothes -tattered rose
shading and hair - pumice stone
trees - bundled sage
eyes and sky - stormy sky

some advice needed please...

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

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

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