just add a bit of bling?...

Good morning everyone how are you all...well and happy I hope...it was so fantastic to catch up with my Sisters at the weekend and I know my Dad loved it...like most families who live some distance apart we don't spend near enough time together and really should make more of an effort...I must admit though I'm stuffed after eating out so many time over a few days...phew the old belt needs another notch I think lol...Friday the 13th didn't go without a hitch, did yours?...I found out that my Niece was rushed into hospital and then discovered my Uncle had been too...they are both going to be fine thankfully...I know its just a daft superstition but something bad always seems to happen then...well in our family anyway lol...well are all your preparations done yet?, we will hopefully get the rest of what needs done finished today as Phil has the day of work so we are heading out for the day list in hand...right now onto my card for today...when I saw this stunning Mo's Digital Pencil image I decided that although its a winter image I wouldn't use winter papers to go along with it, I wanted different colours to the normal Christmas ones...this is the stunning Anya and Nanook coloured with my usual distress inks and glittered with Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust...the beautiful papers are from the stunning Kaisercraft - Curiosity 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and I added more glitter to the fruit and leaves to add a frosty feel to it...what do you think? does it work?...I added some tags and a sentiment from the same pad and finished with a key charm, the sketch I made as I went along but am entering this for the Craftitude Challenge, Inkspirational Challenge and the Crafty Catz Challenge too...right I better get the war paint on, well we women of a certain age don't go out without it do we lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a relaxing one for you...I will let you know tomorrow how we got on with our list and will be back a bit later with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts winner

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit - shabby shutters, crushed olive, ripe persimmon

sled - antique linen, frayed burlap

Nanook - black soot, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

oooohhhh I love making Christmas cards...

Good morning everyone hows your week going...good I hope...I didn't have any luck with my baby shopping yesterday, I don't know if its a girl or boy yet so buying something fabulously girlie or cute and boyish is out...so what do I go for, something to help the parents or maybe a gift card so they can shop when they need too...but that seems kinda impersonal if you know what I mean...did any of you get the perfect gift for a new baby and let me know what it was please...I want to get THE perfect gift...help...but my lovely Dad took me for coffee anyway and we had a laugh and a moan, I so enjoy our coffee chats, they are so special and always make me realise how precious my time is with him...he is a lovely man and that's not me being biased, well maybe just a teeny bit lol...right now onto my card for today...how adorably cute is this Wild Rose Studio stamp, this is Bluebell with Robin and it comes complete with a sentiment stamp too so a real bargain...I coloured this cutie with my distress inks and used these lush papers from the Echo Park - Reflections Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad...the papers in this pad are so fab, they aren't just the traditional green and red but have soft blues and chocolate browns too...I added a stamp from the Wild Rose Studio - Christmas Labels stamp set, this set is a real bargain...I finished with some covered tabs from the Wooden Flourishes - Pennants FL441, a bow made from lush Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Green and added a button from the bag of Camouflage - 25g buttons, everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Addicted to Stamps Challenge and the Crafty Catz weekly Challenge too...I'm going into my craft room for a mooch today, I'm going to sort out all my Christmas stuff, I love making Christmas cards don't you, I never seem to run out of ideas for them and that's always makes them a little bit easier...whatever your up to today I hope you have fun and spend some time with someone special
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

bluebell - antique linen, frayed burlap, spun sugar

robin - frayed burlap, fired brick

wreat and bow - peeled paint, bundled sage, fired brick

colouring on holly sentiment stamp - peeled paint, fired brick

its amazing what air can do...

Good morning everyone, yes I can finally post...guess what it was wrong with my precious laptop...it was overheating, the fan wasn't working enough and every time it overheated it cut out...so off I went to the shop and bought a can of spray air cleaner...I wasn't brave enough to take my laptop to pieces mind lol...so I did a bit of research and pointed the air can in the right direction and after the cloud of black bits had cleared I did it again and bobs your Uncle its working brilliantly...I think it would be much better if the back was removed and it was done properly but I had visions of all these bits left over when I put it back together so didn't dare lol...well how have you all been, did you have a good weekend?...our was quiet except for getting our Daughters washing dried in time for her and her lovely other half to get on their flight to Amsterdam this morning...they are off to spend five days in a city centre apartment and I hope they have the best time ever...besides from the drying panic our weekend was very very quiet...we hardly even went out actually, it was one of those weekends when you cant think of anywhere to go...right now for my card for today...now look at that perfect little face, who else could draw this but Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil...I think you can spot Mo's images anywhere don't you...this is the beautiful First Fish (Girl), there's a boy version of this cutie too...I used distress inks for colouring and teamed her up with these beautifully coloured papers from the Echo Park This & That Charming 6x6 paper pad, I bought this ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but I think its out of stock atm...I finished with some wooden letters for the girl word, gorgeous cute spotty ribbon and of course a few buttons, I think you would probably all faint if I made a card without buttons wouldn't you lol...the lush sketch is from the Card Crafter's Circle Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and the Creative Fingers Challenge too...I'm spending the day with our Daughters cat, I must see if I can get a photo of her, I call her sumo cat, she is huge and so fluffy I usually spend a week after they come back from holidays getting rid of cats hairs...maybe I should buy some Immac lol (just kidding)...whatever your up to today don't forget a bit of jet propelled air does you the world of good lol. have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

hat - scattered straw, shabby shutters, peeled paint

outfit - peeled paint, scattered straw, shabby shutters

fish - evergreen bough

fishing rod - scattered straw, evergreen bough

shading - antique linen

 

installation failed...

Good morning everyone did you miss me, did you have a nice weekend, what did you get up too anything exciting?...I have had another few days of high temperatures and feeling like rubbish, I rang the Doc and he says its too be expected...well thanks for letting me know lol...oh well I will get there I'm sure...I couldn't resist showing you the image above it really tickled my fancy when I saw it on Facebook yesterday (if anyone knows where it comes from let me know so I can link to them please). Summer has definitely been cancelled here it has been freezing all weekend I think winter has come back...its raining, freezing cold and the wind has been howling like no ones business...please bring back the summer whoever has stashed it lol

I have missed crafting over the last few days but finally managed to make a card phew...I couldn't resist using this stunning little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil...shes called Baby Fairy Butterfly and I think she has the most beautiful little face don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and used some of the lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Elegance 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in this pad dont you...the little message tag is from the same pad too...I finished with a bow stashed from a box of chocolates someone bought me ages ago...see we crafters throw nothing away do we lol...I finished with a big pearl from the Mixed Bag of 5mm Flat backed Pearls also from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Hobby House challenge and the Crafty Catz Challenge too...I'm supposed to be getting my hair cut today keep your fingers crossed I'm well enough to go as the busted sofa look is beginning to get a bit scary lol...whatever your up to today I hope the weather is a bit better where you are and you can enjoy some sunshine

Mina xxx

p.s. I will be back a bit later with my candy winner

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

wongs and skirt - scattered straw, evergreen bough

flower - peeled paint, scattered straw

shading - pumice stone

jump for joy...

Good morning everyone...did you have a fabulous weekend?, not too rainy I hope, it was a bit soggy here for the whole weekend, its so frustrating having all the new flowers for the decking and not being able to get going with them...Phil planted some but had to come in cause the rain got the best of him...there will be a flurry of activity when the sun does come out though lol, we did head out on Saturday though, had a little mooch around town then to look at some cars with my Dad (he still hasnt chosen which make he would like), then Sunday it was a lazy day with a yummy lunch of poached salmon, salad and hersey royal potatoes followed by fresh berries and tiramasu...yum yum yum...so despite the weather it turned out not a bad weekend...right now my card for today is fro our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly Challenge...this month our Guest DT member chose the theme of Case The DT Member...my card is made using this super fantastic and perfect for a boy card Magnolia stamp...hes from the Magnolia Once Upon a Time collection and is called Game on Edwin...I loved using him hes fantastic to colour...I used my usual distress inks for him and cut him out so he could jump off the card

I teamed him up with a brand new paper collection from Bazzill Basics called Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Freedom...these are fantastic heavyweight papers perfect for 4th July, boys or girls cards...you will be seeing more of these I promise you, they are lush to use...I finished my card with a fab bow made with some Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Blue, a few buttons from the Big Red - 25g pack and some pieces of washi from the Section SMASH Tape roll...everything I used except the sentiment letters are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Papertake Weekly Challenge, Cute Card Thursday challenge and the Crafty Catz Challenge to...I'm going to have a bit of a crafting day today as I have loads to catch up on...whatever your up to have a brilliant sunny day (fingers crossed for you) and if you get some time hop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and have a look at the amazing work of our super talented DT and see which member you will choose to case...have a good one

Mina xxx
p.s. some good news with a sale on this and others too just click to go there

 

distress ink colours used

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

hair, shoes and moustache - black soot

hat - faded jeans, fired brick

dungarees - faded jeans, fired brick

gloves - fired brick

shading - pumice stone

I'm bbbbbaaaacccckkkk.....

Good morning everyone and yes at last I'm back, did you miss me, bet you never even noticed lol...we have had a fab weekend...Friday afternoon my lovely Dad spent outrageously flirting with his audiologist while she switched his hearing aids up another notch...he can almost hear a pun drop now and there's no chance of whispering behind his back now lol then Friday night was a surprise dinner party in a local hotel for my Aunt and Uncle for their 50th wedding anniversary...how amazing is that 50 years, you should have seen their faces when they walked in, it was a total surprise and a lot of tears flowed from everyone...it was fantastic catching up with all the family and my Dad, Sister, her husband and Phil were there too...our Daughter and her other half were meant to be there but she was still away but she was gutted she couldn't be there and it would have been a chance for her other half to meet everyone who only get together at occasions like this...we had a shopping, lunch kinda day on Saturday then Sunday was a family lunch, our beautiful Daughter came home for a day and a half and was full of excitement and brimming over with all the things she had been doing and how much she is loving it to bits...I'm so pleased for her and was so full of pride when she told us how well she is doing I thought I would cry at one stage...soppy bugger I am lol...phew that was a lot of info, see what happens when your broken down for a few days lol...right now onto my card for today...now who else could draw this stunning image but Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil...this is the fabulous Baby Fairy Bee, she is just so so cute in her bee outfit isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from one of my new buys from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, they are from the Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, now you all know my passion for paper and I love Kaisercraft pads but this one is something special, some are flocked some are glossed, its just a shame they don't show up more in the photos...you will be seeing a lot more of this pad as its so lush I wont be able to resist using it...I finished my card with some Thickers letter stickers and loads of punched butterflies...the fab sketch is from the Crafty Catz Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Joanna Sheen Challenge too...it will be a busy busy busy week this week as we are away for a week from Saturday for the holiday for my Dads Birthday present, so packing, doing posts doing DT work etc, I will probably pass myself in the hall a few times I'm sure...have a fabulous day and I hope its a bit more relaxing then mine

Mina xxx

p.s. I will be back later with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy winner

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

bee outfit - black soot, scattered straw, antique linen

flower - peeled paint, barn door, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

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

a cherub in blue...

Good morning everyone did you have a brilliant day yesterday?...well I didn't find any photo frames at the car boot sale but did buy some lush yummy homemade jam, Blackcurrant and Plum.....mmmmmmmmmmmm cant wait to try it with scones and cream...we did find a stunning vintage scrolled silver jewellery box which my Daughter just fell in love with, it was only £14 but it was a boot sale and a little bartering is called for isn't it, so I managed to get him down to an amazing £9, I would have probably got it for less but my Daughter wanted it so much she grabbed it at £9 and almost run away with it lol...a few of you admired the red teapot in the photo with the robins the other day, its actually tin and I got that at a boot sale in fact the pots with it too, they were the astounding price of 50p each (I didn't bother bartering that price lol)...we then met up with Phil who was finished work a little earlier than expected and went for lunch...I love days out with our Daughter and her other half like this, we should really do it more often but its hard fitting around everyones schedule...me I don't have a schedule and just go with the flow, plus I'm always ready for lunch out...right now onto my card for today which is using this amazing Mo's Digital Pencil image, isn't he just the most adorable little cherub, hes called Rafe and I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced the bauble with this stunning double sided paper from the Echo Park Wintertime collection its called Flurry...to make the bauble look more 3d I distressed the edges with Pumice Stone distress inks, I think it makes it look rounder don't you think...I finished with some beautiful blue satin ribbon and a few pearls...the lush sketch is from the Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge, Crafty Catz Challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey challenge too...Phil's at work again this morning bless him, will this audit never end and although he says we should go out this afternoon I think he should relax for the afternoon hes needs a day of R & R hes been working so hard lately...whatever your up to today have a fantastic relaxing one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

bauble top - stormy sky

bauble paper piecing shading - pumice stone

at long long long last...

Good morning everyone have you all got something amazing arranged for the weekend...I don't know what happened yesterday but no matter how much I tried I just couldn't get anything to upload onto my blog at all...I hate it when the gremlins hit don't you its one of those things you just cant do anything about and frustrates the hell out of me lol...but never mind at least I managed it today...I had a productive day yesterday and even gave my craft room a going over and emptied some more boxes, I discovered though that I need a lot more storage and like most tidy ups I found loads of play stuff I had forgotten about...ooohhhhh I love finding stash like that don't you...I unpacked a few more boxes and found the curtains I though had been thrown away too so another bonus, I just need to iron them and put them up now oops lol...then my lovely Dad came for dinner and we had a few giggles and a nice dinner together, its been a real family meal week this week, we went out to dinner on Thursday night with our gorgeous Daughter and her other half too, I love eating out with family don't you...its a fabulous way to catch up and have a few family chats...right now onto my finally uploaded card, this was supposed to be yesterdays but better late than never I guess...this fantastic Scrooge is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...and yes I did a but more paper piecing (for a change lol) and coloured the rest of him using distress inks...doesn't those lush papers suit him down to the ground...they are from the Kaisercraft - Turtle Dove 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the fab circular sentiment is from the same pad too...Im entering this for the Digital Tuesday Challenge, Crafty Catz Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...we are of to a continental farmers market this morning in search of some smoked garlic which we have run out off and then out to lunch and maybe a little mooch for some Christmas shopping, you never know do you...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and don't spend too much lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

nightgown and candle- antique linen

slippers & candle holder  - barn door

glasses - stormy sky

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

oh no now I have started...

Good morning everyone are you having a brilliant weekend...well our front garden is done now...we have two smallish circular planting areas in a sea of pea gravel but they were just crammed with weeds so had to be tidied they were doing my head in every time I walked up the path to the front door...so we all trooped off to the garden centre yesterday (even my Dad came) and I bought some lush soft blue grasses, beautiful but they only had two left, I also bought some red grasses and lavenders...so we took a circle each (I got the smallest one thank goodness) weeded and planted and they are looking a little bare still but so pretty with all the colours and they match the house beautifully, the trim of the house is blue and the door is deep red wood and the lilac/purple will add a bit more colour...I should have taken a before photo shouldn't I but oops I forgot...I will take some photos now though although they would probably be better in a couple of months with the extra growth...I discovered I don't like wood lice at all uuuurrrrggghhhh...I was weeding a bit and felt a tickle on my hand, looking down there was about ten of them on my hand...one yell and a lot of shuddering later I was free of them but they did give me the judders...I will fish out the tags of the plants if anyone wants to know the name of the blue grass, the reddish ones are Cordilyns (sorry not sure of the spelling) and the Lavender is English lavender...right enough babbling about the garden Mina...did you all enjoy the hop yesterday? there's still loads of time to join in if you fancy winning some goodies, I seem to be on a Christmas roll now though...how cute is this gorgeous Mo's Digital Pencil sweetie...this is the fabulous Santa Kai, don't you just love his little jim jams poking out the bottom of his Santa coat...I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced his suit, hat and the gift bow. I love paper piecing, I think its all that cutting out...doesn't it look like I spent ages putting this card together but most is one sheet of paper and is a ready made layout from the fantastic My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, there's a few of these layouts in the pad and they work fantastically for cards as well as scrapbook all I needed to add was the tag (cut from the same pad) and a ribbon...I will have to buy more of these. I'm entering this for the Crafty Catz weekly challenge, Stampin' for the weekend challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today I feel the need to colour and cut to my hearts content, well that's the plan anyway...whatever your up to today watch out for those wood lice they are sneaky things lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
shading - pumice stone
jim jams - tumbled glass, fired brick
gift - antique linen

a guilty sorta day...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and enjoying all the kids getting back to school...more crafting time for all you Mums with schoolkids, I used to love it when our Daughter was on school holidays because she was an only child we spent the whole summer on days out, sitting watching movies together playing in the garden, I felt like it was one long summer holiday for me too...I was always the most tearful one when she had to go back after her break...I had a really quiet day yesterday, a little bit of crafting, cooked dinner ready for later and then out with my lovely Dad to the chiropodist and then for a coffee, no work done on the house at all now why do I always feel so guilty for those sort of days...there is loads and loads and loads to do, not to mention holiday clothes to get ready so maybe that's why and omg my Nieces 100 table menus for her wedding aaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh panic...oh well I can catch up with some of it today I'm sure, well that's the plan anyway lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenges, I'm the host this time and I chose the theme of Add a Flower, so whatever you fancy as long as its got at least one flower on it...I used the amazing Sharla by Hannah Lynn for my card, I don't think shes released yet as shes brand new but it wont be long...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Tea-Thyme I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fantastic ribbon I used is wired and I found it all scrunched up in the bottom of a box, I love finding forgotten surprises like that don't you...I finished with a lush Prima flower and a sentiment zipper pull...I'm entering this for the Use It Tuesday Challenge, Crafty Catz Weekly challenge and the Papertake Weekly challenge too...I'm locking all the doors and windows and not even venturing outside until I have at least 3 jobs ticked off my huge list today...whatever your up to don't feel guilty about it and when you have the time pop on over to the Crafts & Me challenge blog to see the amazing creations of the rest of our fab digi team
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, faryed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
outfit - tattered rose, spun sugar, victorian velvet
hair decoration - spun sugar, tattered rose shabby shutter, crushed olive

I can almost smell the roses...

Good morning everyone are you doing anything exciting for the weekend?...we had a very very very long day yesterday, we went to Ikea super early and had breakfast there then oh boy did we shop, not only did we get all the new furniture (including some that wasn't on my list) we bought wine glasses, table mats (a bargain 50p each) and loads and loads of stuff we couldn't live without, you know what I mean don't you, the kinda stuff you didn't know you needed until you saw it...then a look around BHS and Next but we didn't buy anything there and then home to a message on the answer phone that we could get a loan of the new house keys if we would like to measure up for curtains etc, so a quick dash around, measuring, deciding where things would go...we finally sat down to eat about 9pm and then bed totally dead on our feet...so all in all a very busy day lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning image from Whimsy Stamps shes called Li'l Montana I coloured her and her little furry friend with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunningly gorgeous rose papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Tea-Thyme, cant you almost smell those roses...I didn't add any embellishments at all except for some more of the roses cut from the same papers...any excuse for a bit of cutting out lol...everything I used for my card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the sketch I made up as I went along and I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, Crafty Catz Weekly challenge and the Dutch Dare Card Challenge...Phil's working this morning so I'm off to do a little bit of playing in my packed craft room...the boxes wont stop me though I will fight my way through lol...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
jeans - pumice stone
top - spun sugar, shabby shutters
flower in hair - spun sugar, shabby shutters
basket - frayed burlap
flowers - scattered straw
puppy - antique linen

yum yum yum...

Good morning everyone are you all having a peaceful relaxing weekend, I think it will be our last peaceful weekend for a while don't you lol...don't you just love nice surprises, I woke up yesterday feeling really tired and a bit washed out (that's what happens when you burn the candle at both ends I guess) dragged myself downstairs to find Phil cooking one of my favourite breakfasts, smoked bacon, croissants and mushrooms...yum yum yum it was so scrummy too, its the little things like that that really count isn't it, not a grand gesture or spending money on gifts, just little caring thoughtful things don't you think it made my day and really brought my mood sky high...oooohhhh I'm getting slushy in my old age aren't I lol...thanks for all the kind thoughts for my arm, its fine a few bruises is all, takes more than bad manners and a wayward shopping basket to put me out of action lol...my lovely Dad is off on his travels again, I love to see him going away he very easily slips into a rut when hes home, I know what its like living alone and its easy to slip into one isn't it...so him getting away does him the world of good plus I know it sounds selfish but we really have a lot on our plates atm so it gives us one less thing to think about, does that sound awful...right now enough waffle Mina onto your card for today I hear you all shout...how stunning is this beautiful little mermaid (have you seen the new Little Mermaids set yet?) from Mo's Digital Pencil...this cutie is called Melia on her Shell, this is the undersea version of a mobile phone I think lol...I coloured her in just one colour distress ink this time (except for her skin of course) and glittered her up...the fantastic papers are from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe, have I told you before how much I love Graphic45, what do you mean I have, you sure lol...this stunning pad is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some gorgeous black ribbon and a black velvet bow...I didn't think it needed anything else, do you?, the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Creative Card Crew challenge and the Crafty Catz challenge too...we are off to look at sofas today, we need to either get them ordered or at least agree on which ones to buy, even agreeing on a colour would be a start wouldn't it lol...wish us luck...whatever your up to today have a brilliant stress free relaxing kinda day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
everything else - pumice stone

knock it down and start again...

Good morning everyone do you have anything fantastic planned for this weekend?...I hope your having a brilliant one, Phil is away at the motorbikes today as its a huge bike racing weekend on the north coast of Ireland this weekend and although he isn't marshaling he has gone to watch so I think I will ring my Dad and head of to the garden centre, they have a sale on and I bought some fab planters a few weeks back that are just crying out for some herbs...we went to see a house yesterday, now you all know about the farmhouse so we aren't afraid of taking on something that needs fixing up...but this one oh boy, it was more a knock it down than a fix it up...I would need a bulldozer and a few skips and that was just for the inside lol...the only good thing was it had a small badly overgrown and wrecked garden but it was so quiet and secluded and you could really see it would be stunning...it wasn't enough to save the house though...oh well never mind its very early days and the estate agent had a real giggle with us as we went from room to room each once getting worse, she even apologised at one stage as she hadn't seen it before and was quite shocked herself, she was sssssoooooo nice too, she reminded me of our Daughter...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning Mo's Digital Pencil girl, isn't she so beautiful...shes called Bubbles Girl and I coloured her with distress inks, I matched her up with these stunning papers from the My Minds Eye Miss Caroline-Howdy Doody 6x6 paper pad I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts (Its out of stock atm but there's loads of other lush pads here)...I finished with some pretty pearls, a gingham bow, roses and a cute fairy metal charm...ooohhh and I added some glitter to her bubbles...the fab sketch is from the Stampin for the Weekend challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge and Crafty Catz challenge too....whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and watch out for Garden centre sales, they are lethal

Mina xxx

oh btw dont forget today is the last day to enter my candy

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
chair - frayed burlap, antique linen,
outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet
bubbles - scattered straw
bubbles bottle - scattered straw, shabby shutters

apologies, explanations and some news...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I have a few things to tell you today, firstly I have huge apologies to make to all my followers and commenters for my serious lack of commenting, but this will all be fixed this week, I have been stretched to the limit commenting on DT's and have come to a massive decision because of it, I really want to keep my commenting for the followers and lovely people who take the time to comment every day, you deserve me to take my time and enjoy commenting on all your stunning work and I wasn't doing that...all is about to change though yesterday I left three of my DT's to concentrate on my own blog and you blogger's who comment...when you are stretched that much something has to give as all you girls who have had loose knickers know lol...so I have left Just Magnolia, Colour Create and The Pretty Little Ribbon shop DT's...it was so hard to decide but decide I had too and I know I will be able to be a much better blogger because of it...phew soap box moment over...onto my card for today and I have SO missed colouring my Mo's Digital Pencil images since my printer broke, but the new one is fab, so fast and works a treat with my waterproofing method and so clear and crisp too, a bargain price of £30 including ink cartridges too...omg don't you just love a bargain...yeah me too lol...anyway I went way off point there, you will be seeing loads of Mo's as I has a bit of a print fest , this stunning beauty is from the new Tea for Three set, this is a great set as it can be split up or used together...I coloured her with distress ink and used more of the stunning Echo Park-This and That Charming 6x6 paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a ribbon and bow, how beautiful is this organza ribbon (one of the ones for my candy this Sunday, now who can resist ribbon candy), I finished with a rub on sentiment from my stash and a few roses...I'm entering this for the Card Makin Mamas challenge, Lollipop Crafts challenge and Crafty Catz challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today and you know what that means don't you...putting the world to rights lol and I'm so looking forward to a huge massive blogging fest tonight so watch out I'm coming to visit lol...whatever your up to today have a gorgeously sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
dress - Iced Spruce, peeled paint
apron - pumcie stone, iced spruce, peeled paint
shoes and hairband - iced spruce
flowers and cup, saucer - scattered straw

can you have blue tulips?...

Good morning everyone, did you have a fab weekend...ours was definitely not one for planned activities as nothing went to plan but then they usually turn out well dont they...no walk or picnic yesterday as although the sun was out it was freezing in the arctic wind...so reverted to plan B shopping for a new printer, mine is kaput that's a techno tern for knackered...so I stuck with the ink I know and bought another Epson...had lunch then went home for Tv and a bunch of lush grapes...do things like this only happen to me or do you all do daft things like this too...I was chomping away on my grapes and surfing when the grape I had in my hand disappeared, I searched the sofa and myself and guessed it must have fallen back in the box...went on with my surfing then settled down to watch a program, hand on arm and elbow down on the arm of the sofa and squish...uuuurrrrggghhhh icky the grape must have fallen down the arm of my long sleeved t shirt and I rested my elbow on it...so much for chilling I had to get changed and it was icky too, please tell me daft things like that happen to you too so I don't feel so crackers lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new monthly challenge at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge...this month is our wonderful Jane's choice and she chose Blooms and butterflies...this TeddyBo image is perfect for that theme dont you think, I coloured him with distress inks and used the stunning colours of the Kaisercraft Blae & Ivy 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for the colour combo...the amazing ribbon is a Silky Crush 38mm Ribbon - Pewter ribbon, just behind the ribbon which is quite hard to see is some beautiful 15cm wide Aqua Tulle and I finished with a Silver Colour Decorative Butterfly Charm all from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop the fabulous sketch is from the Fetch a Sketch challenge and Im aslo entering it for the Crafty Catz Weekly challenge and Dutch Dare card challenge...Phil is off work today as its a May Day bank holiday here so I havent a clue what we will be up too...but you never know oh and theres an antique fair on in one of our local hotels so a mooch through that might be nice...have a brilliant day everyone, if you have the time dont forget to pop on over to The Pretty Little Ribbon challenge blog to have a loo at our amazing teams makes and watch out for hiding pieces of fruit
Mina xxx

distress inks colours used
teddybo - antique linen, frayed burlap
hat - peeled paint
flowers - peeled paint, broen china
clothes - stormy skies
boots - frayed burlap
shadows - pumice stone

your last chance...

Good morning everyone, how are you all...well and happy I hope...Phil had to work a night shift last night as there was some urgent work needed finished before Tuesday morning and he had to manage it...it was so so strange being alone again for a night, I don't like it and don't want it to happen again (well not often anyway) you would think after ten years I would be used to being on my own and I was I guess but because Phil's home now, I'm getting used to company every night...did you all go aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh you soppy thing Mina, bet you did lol...tell you what I did find myself doing though, talking to the TV and myself again, how mad is that disagreeing with a tv...mind it could be worse it could have disagreed back now that would really mean I was going nuts wouldn't it lol, oh and before I forget today is your last chance to enter my followers candy, so if you havent already hop on down now to join in, you never know do you and you have to be in it to stand a chance of winning...anyway onto my card for today, how beautifully vintage is this fabulous little Stampavie Sarah Kay - Madeline stamp, I love the way she looks like an old photograph don't you...that's why I kept the colours so simple for her I wanted to give her an aged photo look...I coloured her with distress inks and it just goes to show how few colours are needed to get an effect doesn't it...the fantastic papers and the two tags at the sides are from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Almanac paper pad, I'm loving Prima pads atm and I'm so pleased I bought some of the new release ones as they are so beautifully soft and vintage, the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some lace across the middle although you can barely see it, a gingham brown bow and a couple of buttons...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and Crafty Creations Challenge too...whatever I'm up to today it will have to be quiet because poor Phil will be catching up with some sleep I think, I might just head out so he gets some peace and quiet...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
ribbons and dress - tattered rose
tights, apron - antique linen
shoes - frayed burlap

has spring sprung...

Good morning everyone did you all have a great day yesterday, I hope so...I didn't get my afternoon lying around (do you feel sorry for me lol), my lovely Dad came home earlier than I though and he rang me as he needed shopping so off we trekked to the supermarket, I hate it on a Saturday as everyone who works all week seems to do their shopping then as they have no choice so its packed...but shopping in the trolley we even managed a put the world to rights coffee, my wonderful Dad sorted out this country and them every other one in trouble, its amazing what a pot of tea can do for world peace isn't it, maybe that's where the world leaders are going wrong lol...I have visions of all the arguing and fighting stopping because its time for tea, that would be fantastic wouldn't it, mind I know it might be sexist but I think a lot of the worlds problems would be solved by putting woman in charge, they at least can see the sheer waste of life, time and money it was...right I'm off my soapbox now and onto my card for today which is using the stunningly drawn Mummu's Bike, now who else would that be by but the talented Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil, I can honestly say hand on heart there isn't a Mo image I don't love and believe I have many of them lol...have you seen the new ones she has been drawing if not go check them out...bet you fall in love...I coloured Mummu with distress inks and used these stunning papers I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, they are from the Prima 6x6 paper pad Fairy Belle, its like all Prima pads, floaty and dreamy and beautiful...oh and I had to show you my new favourites from Bunny Zoes too, its these gorgeous sweet little wooden alphabets I used for the Spring word, arent they fabulous and they have like a coloured edge to them that really makes them pop off the page they come in a box and there's loads of them, 250 in fact...they are the Wooden Ornaments - Alphabet, I can guarantee you will be seeing these again many times...I finished my card with a muted pink seam binding bow and a couple of punched butterflies, the yellow butterfly I cut from the paper...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and Crafts 4 Eternity challenge too...we are having family dinner tonight so Phil is baking today and I'm making salad and jersey royal potatoes to go with the pies...yum yum...whatever your up to have a brilliant day...oh and don't forget you only have a couple of days left to enter my candy if you haven't already and there's a second chance to win too just see the sidebar for the links
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
clothes - tumbled glass, antique linen, victorian velvet
bike - milled lavender, black soot
grass - shabby shutters

I so want that bag...

Good morning did you all have a fantastic weekend, I hope you did, we had a great one, oh and I forgot to tell you yesterday before we set off for the craft show then Ikea I double checked the stock on the two bedside tables we were wanting and they had a full stock...well when we got there was not a single one left....hhhhmmmmmmmm could it be because they were half price for Ikea Family members...I know I was going to the craft show anyway but as its a 110 miles round trip for us I would have been very miffed if we had just gone for the tables...oh well we had lunch there anyway, long trip for a bit of salmon though lol... did you all enter my candy yet, if not its on the post below its one I wouldn't mind winning so pop down after this and enter, you never know do you, you might win...its Phil's first full day at work today, I'm all nervous for him although I don't know why, he is excellent at what he does and I know it, it was strange last night as Sunday nights are usually spent alone as he used to travel back on Sunday, it was strange but strange in a nice way, does that make sense, well it did to me when I wrote it lol...right now onto my card for today...how amazingly cute and gorgeous this stunning To Grammy's image is, it is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...that much gorgeousness has to be by Mo doesn't it, I so want that heart shaped bag too...I coloured her with distress inks and the lush yummy coloured papers are from a pad I bought at the show (bargain half price too)...its a My Minds Eye-A Happy Heart 6x6 pad...fabulous pad...I finished my card with two colours of ribbon, a few pearls and a metal heart charm (more show purchases)...the fab sketch is from the One Stop Craft Challenge and I'm also entering it for the CYDA Challenge, Crafty Catz Weekly challenge and Cute Card Thursday challenge...I'm off to get some shopping today, I thought I would make a stir fry and maybe some cupcakes today ...oooohhhhhhh get me all domesticated, Phil better not get too used to it lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
sking - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
coat and hat - victorian velvet, stormy sky
bag - victrian velvet
dolls outfit - stormy sky, scattered straw,
dress - scattered straw
flowers on hat - scattered straw,shabby shutters