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

two tone?...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

trousers - pumice stone, tumbled glass

sweater - peeled paint

jacket - barn door

bucket - peeled paint

candies - barn door, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

enough winter...

Hi everyone...I hope your all well and having a good start to the week, I know everyone is trying to get back to normal after the holiday season but who's the thicko who forgot to set her post and just had it on draft then...yep that would be me lol, I got it all ready last night but just forgot to press publish so it went to draft and I didn't discover it until I came on line a little while ago...are you all surviving the storms then, I hope there's no flooding where you are and are managing ok...right now onto today's card which is using this sweetie...this little darling is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called Serious Sharon, bless her she is very serious isn't she...so I decided instead if being serious that shes dreaming lol...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these summery pretty paper (enough of the winter and the miserable weather I think don't you?) from the Kaisercraft - Lady Rose 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...I love this stunning paper pad, the colours are so lush aren't they...I added a rub on and a piece of Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) and finished with a Prima flower from my stash...the ribbon and paper pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge, Totally Gorjuss Challenge and Allsorts Challenge too

oh and before I go...a bit of news for you Mo is having a winter sale so pop on over to grab a bargain or seven just click below to go straight there...sorry about my late post but better late than never I guess lol...I will speak to you all tomorrow and enjoy the rest of your night
Mina xxx

Mo's BIG WINTER Sale!!  20% off your digital stamp order

not just for summer...

Good morning everyone how are you all doing?...thank you all so so much for the concerns about my hip but never worry it will get better soon I'm sure as to the thoughts of going to my GP...I tried a few months back to get an appointment and the wait was three weeks so I don't think I will bother lol...isn't that stupid though that you have to know your ill three weeks in advance, if I could do that I wouldn't need a doctor in the first place would I lol...I didn't get my craft day yesterday but had a lazy day instead, I think they are called a duvet day aren't they although no duvet was involved but my fluffy checked rug came in handy, it did my hip the power of good though, it feels better much much better today...so you will have to excuse my rushed card I made for today as I only remembered it at 9pm last night and it took me all of 20 minuets to make so that's the excuses over lol...this little bit of sugary prettiness is from Sugar Nellie and is called Gingerbread Cookies...isn't she gorgeous?...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used colours that your probably used to seeing summer rather than for a Christmas card but I couldn't resist using these stunning papers from the Kaisercraft - Lady Rose 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...I'm loving this pad the colours and designs are so lush

I added a tag from the same pad, its such a lovely sentiment I put a close up of it below...a lush ribbon bow made from Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and a button from the Primary - 25g button bag...the pad, ribbon and button are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from my favourite sketch blog Mojo Monday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Girls challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm off out with my Dad today, yesterday would have been my Mum's birthday and in a couple of weeks its the anniversary of her death so this time of year is really hard for him and he gets very down, so coffee and chatting is needed I think...whatever your up to today have a brilliant warm one whatever your up to

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - victorian velvet, spun sugar, shabby shutters, pumice stone

gingerbread man - frayed burlap

dont let anyone ever dull your sparkle...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

star, bows and part of wings - weathered bough

dress and shoes and rest of wings - tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

the scent of summer...

Good morning everyone...did you all enter for this months Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy yet...if you didnt then its the posts below this one and its a good one too...a chance at a spending spree...the garden seems to be bucking up a bit since we decided drastic action was need and last week I decided I would use my new sacatures to chop away at one or two (or even three lol) plants that looked like they had died and despite Phil mocking me and saying he wanted to dig them up and reuse the pots they have sprouted again would you believe..a bit chuffed and very smug dosent even touch how I felt when I showed him last night lol...I think even my lovely Dad was a little impressed as he was down for his dinner yesterday evening and said he thinks the garden is slowly coming back to life...phew I thought it was knackered to tell you the truth (thats a technical term by the way lol) and Im so releaved that all the work and love we put into those plants and making the decking somewhere lovely to sit hasnt gone to waste, we did have a bit of a giggle though when Phil went behind the swing seat to check on his tomatos and touched the canopy, whatever water was there tipped over him and he turned to me giving me a look because I was watering some plants with the hose pipe and he thought I had squirted him with it, it took ages to convince him it wasnt me, well it was a bit harder with me rolling about laughing at the time lol...right now onto my card for today which is using one of the new Crafters Companion Barkley stamps...this cute one is called The Scent of Summer...like I have said before Im not the best colourer of animals but I enjoyed this one anyway so I hope you think its ok...I used my distress inks for it and teamed it up with some beautiful summery papers from the Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad, the little tag is from the same pad but is stamped with one of the sentiments that came with the stamp...I finished with a huge blue bow and a Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton flower topped with a pink button, everything except the bow and button are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Crafty Calender Challenge, Brown Sugar Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...Im off out with my lovely Dad this afternoon so best get some war paint going later...whatever your up to today watch out for hidden pockets of water
Mina xxx
p.s. sorry the photos are blurred again Im still struggling finding all the programmes for photo editing

distress ink colours used

cat - antique linen, spun sugar

dog - pumice stone, black soot

birds - scattered straw, stormy sky

garden - peeled paint, shabby shutters, victorian velvet, stormy sky, scattered straw

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

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

distress ink colours used

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

hair - tattered rose

eyes, top and tail - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

good morning er afternoon...

Good morning everyone...oops I mean good afternoon lol...I slept in and by the time I caught up with everything its lunchtime before I remembered about this card...did you all enjoy Fathers Day with your lovely Dads yesterday?...we all had dinner together, the biggest steaks I have ever bought (except me who had prawns) and definitely the most expensive, salad, potatoes and berries and tiramasu for dessert and very yummy it was too...don't you just hate shopping for men, I have asked, pleaded and even begged my Dad to tell me what he wanted for Fathers Day but nope nothing so we bought him chocolate in the hope he will pick something over the next few days so fingers crossed...We have decided not to go away on holiday for a while because basically I don't feel up to travelling far, so we have booked a week in a 4star hotel in County Wexford for a luxury break instead (fingers crossed it doesn't rain for the whole week lol), poor Phil he says hes not disappointed but I know he is, its the first time in about 32 years we haven't been abroad for this long, but I will make it up to him in the future I'm sure...right now onto my card for today...I love this little darling don't you...its the faces that Mo draws isn't it, so much expression in just a few lines...shes a true artist...this is the fabulous I Dunno (redux) from Mo's Digital Pencil (of course)...I coloured her with distress inks and matched her up with these amazingly coloured papers from the Glitz 6x6 Paper pack - Color me Happy...stunning papers aren't they...the tag is from the same pad too...I finished with a couple of different ribbons and a button from the Big Red - 25g button bag...the button and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fabulous sketch is from the Feelin Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Craft Lovin Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...right I'm off to prepare dinner for tonight and catch up with a few more jobs...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

fresh as a spring morning...

Good morning everyone, I'm back did you miss me then? lol...I'm refreshed and back to creating...I went into my craft room while Phil was at our Daughters fixing her lawn mower yesterday morning and before I knew it, it was 4pm, I missed the whole day and we didn't get to the garden centre at all oops...never mind though Phil's off today and it will probably be a bit quieter shopping today...sounds like a plan doesn't it?, but you know what we are like, plans are meant to be broken or at least bent...Phil did get loads of little jobs done around the house between making me cups of tea, so double result...I came out onto the decking later and all the pots from the shed are lined up ready to be filled...do you think he was hinting lol...we decided to fill them with loads of flowers of different colours for a cottage garden sorta look and we have a huge pot which I quite fancy a Japanese Maple for...to add some height and different texture...do any of you own one?, if you do what do they grow like in pots?...I wish I could find my garden encyclopedia, I haven't seen it since we moved...that's what happens when there's more than one person unpacking lol...right now onto my card for today, how bright and fresh is this beautiful Mo's Digital Pencil cutie...shes the beautiful April, only the super talented Mo could draw this stunner...I printed her a bit softer in grey, it looks quite pretty and faded doesn't she...I used my usual distress inks and some of the gorgeous bright papers from the Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad, its a beautifully colourful pad and perfect for spring or summer cards dont you think?...I finished with some pink string, a gorgeous bow made from Organza Ribbon - Sunflower (25mm Wide) and a Prima flower, the paper and ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge too...right I'm off to get ready for the garden centre...book, notes and lists in hand so I don't make any expensive mistakes or buy anything I cant pronounce lol...whatever your up to today I hope you can enjoy a lovely garden day too

Mina xxx

is that a cheer I hear...

Good morning everyone have you all recovered from the shock bet your all breathing a sigh of relief that I wont be moaning on and on now lol....yes I have a card to show you at long last...I took your advice had a little mooch through Pinterest, went to my favourite sketch site, Mojo Monday and put everything aside except what I had to use for my card and although it took me three hours (it usually takes me 15 minuets to colour and about 30 to make a card) I made my card...punched the air and shouted yes...the neighbours must think I have gone nuts lol...mind I have only made one so the mojo is just peeking I think...I cant thank you all enough for all the help and support you gave me, I must admit I was feeling a bit panicky because although my mojo has gone astray like everyone's does now and again but it has never gone missing totally like this time...its so strange isn't it how I feel committed to posting something everyday, a lot of you said take a break from creating and I think it helped loads...so a big massive thank you to all the ones who cared and left me a comment...your all sparkly twinkling little stars...ok enough slushy stuff lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge...this time is our lovely Nic (Coops) choice and she chose Floral Frenzy...now who needs an excuse to add loads of flowers eh?...I used a stunning Hannah Lynn image from Crafts and Me for my card...this is the beautiful Corinne and she colours so easily with all that amazing hair...I used my distress inks and teamed her up with more of the papers and sentiments from the incredible Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...love this pad so much, I finished with two different ribbons and loads and loads of roses...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday (of course) and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge too...I'm off to town today as I have a few errands to run and maybe a little bit of retail therapy...does you the power of good sometimes doesn't it...I might even treat myself to lunch...oooohhhh I love little lone mooches like that now and again don't you...whatever your up to today I hope you have a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit and flower - victorian velvet

eyes - frayed burlap

Share...

Good morning everyone...did you all have a lovely family Easter Sunday and hands up who had chocolate for breakfast lol...bet at least one of you did, wow can you believe its the 1st April already...whoosh and the year has gone, it will be Christmas before we know it at this rate...we had a lovely family lunch yesterday and then I made cheesecake for desserts...btw a couple of people have emailed me for the recipe for my Mushroom and Bacon pasta sauce and I was wondering if anyone else would like my pasta and cheesecake recipe's too I could put them both on here to save me sending them individually...what do you think?...they are quick, simple and never fail so if you would like them just say...right now onto my card for today and please take note I resisted the urge to play any April fools tricks lol...how cute is this CC Designs stamp, I had great fun colouring this sweetie and her playmate...its called C.C. Designs Mashi's Muffins Panda and I coloured it with distress inks...the lush papers are from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Divine this pad is so beautiful and the colours are perfect for Spring/Summer...I finished with a Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Green (this ribbon is perfect for making bows as its wired and holds it shape brilliantly), a flower from the Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Sun Kiss pack and a sentiment from a sheet in my stash...everything except the sentiment is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge and the That Craft Place Challenge...well Phil's still off work so we are heading out to the shops today and maybe a spot of lunch...whatever your up to today I hope you don't fall fowl of any April Fools tricks and have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - crushed olive

bamboo - peeled paint, crushed olive

block - black soot

shading - pumice stone

too much excitment before bed...

Good morning everyone hows the weather where you are...its still freezing cold here and we even had a few flakes of snow yesterday between it piddling down most of the time that is...oh please let the spring come soon I'm dying to be able to sit on the deck on my newly painted garden furniture, although I'm not quite sure about the colour, its a lovely shade of muted sage green but with the blue fence (a gift from the last people lol) it just doesn't look just right if you know what I mean...you know whats going to happen don't you...yep one of them is going to have to be painted isn't it...I thinking Phil is hoping its not the fence bless him lol....ooohhhh bit of excitement last night, I was sitting quite late watching the tv after Phil had gone to bed and heard a loud bang looked outside (cause I'm a bit nosey lol)  and there was a man hurrying down the street after parking his car about four doors up from our house...so I sat down again thinking nothing of it...ten minuets later I heard a really loud bang like a small explosion and looked outside again to see the car on fire and flames licking out of it...the panic that rises in your chest when something like that happens is terrible I had to stop myself running up to it to see if anyone was inside but I rang the police and fire brigade...the fire out the police didn't come near me despite me telling the 999 operator that I saw someone leaving the car...oh well I'm sure they will come to the house if they need to, it a very strange thing to happen on a quiet street like ours isn't it...there's nothing like something like that happening to make sure you don't get to sleep at all is there lol...right now onto my card for today its using another of the Bags of Fashion stamps release from Sugar Nellie, this is the fabulous Morgan, I cant choose which of these I like the best though...its a good thing I have them all isn't it lol...I coloured her with distress inks and used some lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some buttons and two types of ribbon from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the No Matter Which Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off for more tests at the Docs today...I think they are running a secret blood bank from there you know lol...whatever your up to today I hope your afternoon is nicer than mine and you dont need to go see the vampires too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin -antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - frayed burlap

scarf - bundled sage, spiced marmalade

dress - bundled sage, antique linen

bag - spiced marmalade, bundled sage

boots - bundled sage

Birthdays...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit - pumice stone, Victorian velvet

hair - antique linen

table cloth - spun sugar, tumbled glass

table leg - frayed burlap

cake - antique linen, Victorian velvet, shabby shutters

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

nothing beats A&E at dinner time...

Good morning everyone, are you all well, theres loads of bugs going around so keep yourselves healthy...well we didn't have the best evening....Phil has been complaining of a painful hand for a few days but when he came in from work it was so painful and swollen I managed to persuade (I think bully is more like it though lol) him into going to A&E just to be on the safe side, he has something that is usually associated with parents...its kind of a repetitive injury they usually get from picking children up, he isn't picking me up honestly lol....good news is it will fine bad news it will probably be there always...just Ibuprofen for the pain is all...phew I had visions of him in plaster or needed his tendon operated on or something more horrific...Phil is never ever ill or has anything wrong with him, so much so that I kinda panic when there is something wrong with him...goodness knows how I would be if something serious happened, I couldn't bear even thinking about it...its strange how we think of the people we love always being there and never changing...scary too...right now my card for today which is using another of the stunningly beautiful Vintage Adorable's from Sugar Nellie...this is the gorgeous Alicia...I love colouring these cuties...I used my usual distress inks and one of the new papers I bought on a quick trip to buy card at my local craft shop (oops couldn't resist just a few pretty papers)...this one is from Fancy Pants Designs Time Spring collection and is called Sugar & Cream...gorgeous isn't it...I finished my card with a couple of pieces of pink gingham ribbon behind a Prima flower and a couple of coloured buttons...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off out today and might even do a bit of shopping would you believe I still haven't spent my gift cards from Christmas yet...so a trip to Next might be on the cards too...big question is the Woman's clothes or Home dept...oooohhhhh decisions decisions lol...whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antqiue linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antque linen

eyes - mix of shabby shutters & peeled paint

top - antique linen, tumbled glass, shabby shutters, frayed burlap

scattered straw, barn door,

flowers and pearls - spun sugar, tumbled glass

barn door, spun sugar, scattered straw

violet eyes?...

Good morning everyone are you all managing to keep your tootsies from dropping off?...it is so cold isn't it...I had a lazy day yesterday, well except for realising I hadn't clicked my post that is lol...so I did a little bit of colouring and printed off loads of stuff that I had meant to do over the last couple of weeks...it takes ages to catch up after the Christmas holidays doesn't it, it sort of lulls you into a false sense of being organised when really it just puts things off for a while then they all catch up with you and are hiding waiting to jump on you...plus January always seems such a long long month I think it seems like a five week month don't you...so the point of that ramble was that I'm finally managing to get caught up with my crafting, not quite there but hurtling towards the catch up line at full speed...I have been watching the news the last few days and I have never seen such a fuss about some snow, I mean shock horror snow in January, what next Christmas day on December the 25th lol...seriously its winter, its Britain so it hardly sneak up on you does it and for a country that has the same weather year after year a tiny bit of snow seems to bring everything to a standstill...I don't mean the places where they have a 30/60cms of course but here there was 2cm of snow and then an electricity breakdown which lasted for days...come on guys get your act together and get those poor people some power its only a bit of snow you know...ok rant over lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge...this time our theme is Vintage, I'm never quite sure the difference between vintage and shabby chic are you, if you do let me know please...I think I managed a vintage card though with the help of this stunning Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts and Me, this is the stunning Butterflies of Hope...isn't that hair amazing and do you like her eyes...I think Elizabeth Taylor had violet eyes didn't she, so I thought why not her...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with some stunning papers from the Prima Fairy Belle collection-6x6 paper pad...I used very little else for my card as I didn't want to cover up this lush paper too much...I finished with a huge Organza bow and a few scattered pearls in different colours...the pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm...I'm entering this for the Stampin' for The Weekend challenge, Challenges 4 Everybody challenge and the Kaboodle Doodles challenge too...I need to go out today as we need something for dinner and we are definitely overdue a put the world to rights coffee too...whatever your up to have a fab day and watch out for those electricity busting snowflakes

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

lips - victorian velvet

eyes - mixture of seedles preserves & milled lavender

butterflies - spun sugar, milled lavender

hair - pumice stone

well you have to celebrate dont you....

Good morning everyone I hope your all well it seems like ages since we had a chat doesn't it...well I'm loads better, still not 100% but then I wasn't before lol...phew that infection knocked me for six and I'm still feeling a bit like a wrung out dish cloth but at least I have picked up my paint brush and have started creating which is a massive leap in the right direction...Phil seemed to have a massive burst of energy yesterday and spent most of the day in the kitchen...now don't get me wrong I'm certainly not complaining I promise you...he made pies, savoury mince and potato, small and large, a Victoria sandwich cake and a Balti sauce ready just to add meat too, that's a massive yuck from me for the balti though, I'm definitely not a curry girl I'm more an italian girl...give me any pasta dish and I will love you for life, but the rest of the family loves Phil's curry sauce so he shares it around...the whole house was filled with the most amazing smells and walking around the kitchen each area had its own individual one...I will be forever grateful to my lovely MIL who made sure that Phil was an excellent cook, looked after himself and didn't depend on a woman for anything...mind I don't think we would be together if he wasn't one of those men do you lol....right now onto my card for today, its for our new monthly challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge...this month our challenge is an easy one, its Anything Goes...I chose this amazing fella...look at the face, just makes you wanna celebrate your birthday doesn't it lol...he's one of the new release from High hopes and is called High Hopes - Birthday Bob I coloured him with my usual distress inks and kept the colour pallet really simple to match these stunning Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Antique Aged Papers these papers are fantastic and really feel like old paper...I love them...I also used the High Hopes - Birthday Again (Sentiment) and a selection of buttons and a blue ribbon to finish...everything I used except the ribbon and buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...well the whole family are coming for dinner tonight (to enjoy Phils pie and cake) so I'm off to prep the veg and then maybe a little bit more colouring...have a fantastic day and if you have time pop on over to Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge to see the amazing work from the rest of our DT...have a good one

Mina xxx 

p.s. did you join in with the monthly Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy its on the post below this or click on the image in the sidebar

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair , cake, hat and sweater shading - pumice stone

blues are a mix of stormy sky & tumbled glass

candle rossettes - antique linen

flames - antique linen, victorian velvet

From our Home to yours...

Good morning everyone are you all ready for the visit from Santa then?...we went to the supermarket yesterday and omg it was bedlam, there was even a huge traffic jam to get into the massive car park , they had actually run out of some foods would you believe...no tomato's, no lettuce, no prawns and loads of other things which meant we had to head to two others before we got everything we needed and we still had to buy pre packed and cut lettuce, not happy about that at all but needs must...we were so pleased to get home 7 hours after we left and were putting stuff away when I realised I had forgotten the soft fruit and white wine vinegar to make my pavlova....oh no please, not any more supermarkets ppppllllleeeaaaasssseeee....oh well a quick visit I guess, well as quick as it can be lol, this time I'm going to walk into town to go to a smaller one and leaving the car at home, its not worth putting poor Phil through the stress of traffic jams on his first day off work is it...today's card is my last until Saturday and is my way of sending all the

Joy and Happiness of the Season

from our home to your's, I hope you and those you love have the most amazing Christmas ever...I so wish I could send you all a card but this one will have to do to send you virtually...this image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, she is from one of my all time favourite Ragged range...shes the stunning Ragged Angel...I coloured her with distress inks and the amazingly soft and beautiful papers are from the Kaisercraft - Turtle Dove 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I cut an aperture for her to sit in to give her a bit more dimension and finished with a couple of Kars flowers and an amazing bow made from Cosmic Red/Silver Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me, this is so lush and so easy for bows as its stiffer than normal because of all the fab glitter in it...the sentiment tag is from the same pad I used...I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, One Stop Craft challenge, Glitter n Sparkle challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I will speak to you all on Saturday with loads of gossip about our Christmas...have an amazing time everyone and just think no more Christmas shopping for a year lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

clothes - antique linen, peeled paint, barn door

boots - frayed burlap

theres no accounting for taste...

Good morning everyone well did you have a fabulous weekend...we went out for a little run with my Dad yesterday, he seemed not too bad but you can never tell can you, its so hard for him...it must be because its hard for us Sisters...oh well we have a few weeks before the anniversary of my Mums passing and he is going away so he isn't home for the day so that's a relief, not that he wont be with me but that he wont be in the house where it happened...one weird thing yesterday we were walking through Town and there was a girl there with a pair of multicoloured huge trousers with braces...so strange, we were kinda hoping for her sake the circus was in Town, but its not though lol...some people sense of style is so strange isn't it but then I guess if we all dressed the same life would be pretty dull...speaking of dress I still haven't found anything for Phil's works Christmas party but decided to go with your advice and wear trousers and a top, smart but not too dressy...I will come back and tell you all off though if everyone has their long sparkly dresses on lol...right now onto my card for today...I decided to go CAS, yes I know shock horror me without my precious papers is such a shock isn't it lol...the fabulous Saturated Canary image was a freebie a little while back shes called Princess Rose Red, shes beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks, glittered her dress trim up and the background for her and the sentiment are from a Combo Sticker sheet by Bo Bunny's Father Christmas collection...I finished with a beautiful red satin bow from my stash...I really enjoyed making this cas card, I think its all the white but it really makes the coloured image pop of the page doesn't it...I'm entering this for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge, Glitter n Sparkle challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm going to have a sort out of our Christmas stuff today because I saw my first Christmas tree in a neighbours window yesterday evening and that means next weekend ours will go up....wwwwooohhhhooooo cant wait...whatever your up to today I hope you all stay safe and warm

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - crushed olive

lips - barn door

dress - antique linen, crushed olive

Joy to the world...

Good morning everyone I hope you had a brilliant weekend...poor Phil had to work until 2pmso we didn't go far, we did head into town and Phil bought more Christmas decorations and wanted to spend a fortune on more but I said for him to wait until I see what I'm making first...I'm going to have to reign him in or we will be coming down with decorations and we still don't have a tree for the kitchen yet lol...but he did buy me a late lunch while we were in town at a local deli/coffee shop and delicious it was too...we then spent about 40 minuets in one of the book shops in Town, I love a good mooch in a book shop don't you...all the shops are looking really festive now...it was dark when we left and the whole place was sparkling and twinkling away and they were putting the towns Christmas lights up ready for switching on which must be soon...ooohhhhhh I'm so loving Christmas this year I bet you would have never guessed lol...right now onto my card for today...this fantastic Christmas rose image is from The Best of Just Inklined 2012 CD rom from Just Inklined...isn't it just so pretty and perfect for decoupaging, which is what I did with it, I printed three and cut them out and layered them up adding a sentiment with word art to finish it off...I coloured the rose with distress inks and teamed it up with this lush lush double sided paper from Echo Park's Merry Christmas range, this is called Christmas Carol...the music side is fabulous isn't it...the little Merry Christmas tag sentiment is cut from the paper info strip, we crafters waste nothing at all do we lol...I finished my card with some pretty white lace, a lush ribbon and a couple of buttons...the fab sketch is from the Emerald Faeries challenge and I'm also entering it for the Craft Us Crazy challenge and Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I better have a day in my craft room today and get started on designing and making some decorations like I promised Phil I would, I don't want him having a relapse and raiding another shop for them do I lol...I love how much hes looking forward to it...whatever your up to today have a lovely day and watch out for those tempting little decorations they are everywhere lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

flowers - antique linen, shabby shutters

leaves - crushed olive, peeled paint