return of the glitter...

Good morning everyone, do you have anything fantastic planned for this weekend?, I don't think we will be doing very much at all really, but then you never know do you...when my lovely Phil came home last night after we had eaten he was gone for ages and I could hear him pottering about in the kitchen, then slowly this wonderful smell started to tweak at my nose, he had been baking and made pasties and pies and they smelt incredible, it was all I could do to stop myself having one then and there, only the thought of the molten lava insides and what it would do to my tongue stopped me, I did manage a little nibble or two when they had cooled though of course...he is the best baker ever, his pies are to die for...everyone loves them to the extent he made two huge ham and egg pies last Saturday and by Sunday morning they were both gone...I didn't eat them all honestly although if I put my mind to it I probably could....right now onto my card for today and before I tell you about, I'm having a real problem posting my images, is anyone else having problems?...I can get them posted but when I try to enlarge them they go all blurred, I have tried saving them in different ways etc and they look great on my computer, its only when I upload them it happens...its driving me crackers

right now card Mina...ok...how fantastically beautiful is Winter Fairy Talva (look at those cute toes) from Mo's Digital Pencil, she like every other Mo's image is a dream to colour...I used distress inks and of course loads and loads of glitter...the fabulous papers which I think are a perfect match for her don't you are from Whiff of Joys 6x6 paper pad Frühlingserwachen from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I used a few punched snowflakes and a huge organza ribbon bow to finish, I love that ribbon its lush, I so wish I could remember where I had got it from...the lush sketch is from Inspirational card sketches challenge (sketch 126) and I'm also entering it for the Stampalot monochrome challenge and the Do You stack up challenge...right I'm off to have a pastie lol...whatever you get up to today I hope its a brilliant one
Mina xxx

Its our second Birthday so celebrate at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and enjoying our fabulous sunshine, make the most of it because you know what our weather is like it could be snowing by tomorrow lol...we have a really special prize this week as its our 2nd Birthday at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge...to celebrate the fantastic Simon Says Stamp is giving a massive $50 gift voucher for their store, how amazing is that and how much could you buy with that lot you lucky people you, of course our challenge this week is Birthday, so anything to do with Birthday using either a Magnolia or hAnglar image...I used this fantastic new Magnolia mini world Tilda from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, they are Leaning Tilda and Tilda with Balloon , they really are little mini versions of the big ones, I thought with the size they would lose a bit of definition but they don't..the butterfly paper is Magnolia Butterfly dreams paper pack, the sentiment circle and script paper are Kaisercraft Secret Bird society paper pack, I finished it with some ribbons, string and Thickers glittered letters...of course I couldn't resist scattering more butterflies about too...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and Im also entering this for the DYSU Scallops challenge (I know they are hard to see but I promise they are there) and the Papertake Weekly Truly dimensional challenge too...I'm doing some washing and ironing for our holidays today, I hate leaving things to the last minuet, I'm one of those super organised travellers that has lists for everything, well that's what people think anyway its really that without the lists we would end up with empty suitcases and me saying I think I have forgotten something when we are at the airport...when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia and see what the rest of our wonderful team came up with, have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

a bit of advice needed - Mo's Digital Pencil DT

Good morning everyone how are you all...do you have anything exciting happening this weekend...we were going to take out our lovely Daughter to celebrate her new job but my darling Phil rang last night and there has been an emergency and he cant get home this weekend so I have my sad face on :-(...right I need a bit of advice please, do any of you use a lamp to take their photos or use a light box because I am struggling with daylight atm because it seems really wishy washy and isn't showing the bright colours up and as I don't brighten them they look kinda washed out and grey, so any advice as to make, model etc of a lamp to photograph would be greatly appreciated...right my card for today is for Mo's Digital Pencil, I love this party girl don't you...as soon as I saw Veronica I knew I would use yellow for her for some reason I think it suits her...I coloured her with distress inks and the amazing papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts they are from the Whiff of Joy paper pad, I love this pad and the sentiment is from the same pad as there are three sheets of them at the back of it, really handy, I added some butterflies and lush yellow velvet ribbon and knot to finish...the sketch is from Mojo Monday, love their sketches don't you and I'm also entering it for the Creative Inspirations Punches & dies challenge and the DYSU Yellow challenge too...btw did you see I have more candy on the go and the winner of the last candy is in the post below...whatever you have planned I hope you have a fantastic day everyone
Mina xxx

A bit of Hope and a glittery Mum - Sugar Nellie DT

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have something fabulous planned for the weekend...Phil came home last night and had a look at the holiday I had put together and is chuffed to bits about it, I think he needs a couple of weeks relaxing and chilling out he works very hard bless him...our anniversary is actually Monday so to celebrate 35 years and as a thank you for getting me to an amazing 275,000 hits I will be giving away some yummy candy on Monday so keep an eye out for it...I think you will like the goodies, I do and wouldnt mind winning them myself...my card for today is for the Sugar Nellie DT and I used the Sugar Bowl sketch for it too, this is the stunningly beautiful Hope isnt she just gorgeous, I coloured her with Distress inks and teamed her up with these lush Prima Jack & Jill papers the lush glittery gold and the cream flowers are Primas and the gorgeous blingy letters are Papermania...I added some ribbons and bows from my stash to finish...Im entering this for the Papertake weekly Its a Mom thing challenge, Simon says Stamp Mothers Day challenge and the DYSU shine on challenge too...have a wonderful Saturday everyone, Im off to drag Phil around the craft shops as I think he owes me a big pressie dont you Mina xxx

bows aren't just for girls - Sugar Nellie DT

Good morning everyone did you all have a great day yesterday...well I didn't quite make it to tidying my craft room, I went in there and picked up two boxes then got distracted with the contents and made this card instead...oops lol...oh well it gives me another excuse to pick up a couple of other things...I'm a bit down in the dumps today as my lovely Phil isn't coming home this weekend hes too busy at work and has to stay so I have my sad face on :-(....my card for today is for the Sugar Nellie DT and using this fantastic Thomas digi, isn't he just the sweetest little fella you have ever seen, I coloured him with distress inks and teamed him up with this lush double sided paper from Echo Park, its from their Little Boy collection and is called Vroom isnt this just the perfect paper for a boys card...

when I saw this paper I wanted to mix loads of colours and designs on the card I made with it so that's what I did, I used a mix of ribbon scraps to make a huge triple bow (see they aren't just for girls cards lol), I cut out a few of the cars and the name tag from the paper to use on the card too and finished with some coloured buttons and a thick red gingham...now seriously got I have got more colours or patterns on this card do you think lol...the fab sketch is from the Everybody Art challenge and I'm also entering it for the DYSU Bow challenge , Papertake weekly Trio tastic challenge and Totally Gorjuss button challenge, 3 ribbon bow, 3 buttons, 3 cars...well I might go out today or I may just do some crafting and I have loads of blogging to catch up on so your guess is as good as mine...whatever your up to today I hope its something exciting and nice
Ooooohhhh by the way I will be back tomorrow with a really exciting announcement I have been bursting to tell you so speak then
Mina xxx

Its all about the eyes - Colour Create DT card challenge 65 - Di's choice

Good morning everyone, I hope you are all fit and well...my Sister got my Dads holiday booked so he has something nice to look forward to in May, but it has made me want to go on holiday now, I have the urge to go to Italy but then again when don't I have the urge to go to Italy...it freaks Phil out when we go to Venice because I know my way around and it doesn't matter how far we wander from a Hotel I can always find my way back which is kinda freaky because Venice is like a warren of tiny passages and twists and turns, he thinks I was a Venetian in a previous life lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Colour Create which this time was chosen by our supertalented teamie Di and boy did she choose a brilliant one...Greens/olive green, brown, cream and black...I used this amazing stamp from Crafts and Me...shes called Pearl Swirl Mermaid, look at those amazing eyes...I coloured her with Distress inks and wow is she fantastic to colour and glittered the beads in her hair...the paper is a scrap of Cosmo Cricket paper so I haven't a clue what its called, I finished with a scrunched bow and ribbon and a couple of flowers...the fab sketch is from Totally Gorjuss challenge but I missed the sentiment so it may not count, I'm also entering this for the Simon says Stamp anything goes challenge and the DYSU layers challenge...when you have time to hop on over to Colour Create and have a look at the rest of the DT's amazing work...I'm off out to dinner with my Dad tonight as he will be away in Belfast with another Sister for his Birthday...have a brilliant day everyone
Mina xxx

a new colour combo for me-Colour Create challenge 64 DT card-Sharons choice-choice of three fruit colours+Mojo Monday 179+DYSU challenge

Good morning everyone...there's still no sign of the elusive stamp, do you think the Magnolia stamps in the box come to life at night, make a mess of my craft room then hide maybe...I really must stop drinking herbal tea you know lol...I know I will find it somewhere I have put it for safe keeping its just remembering where I stashed it but the good news is at least my mojo has come out from under my bed at last...my card for today is an unusual combination for me its for our new challenge at Colour Create...our wonderful Sharon made a brilliant choice this week, three fruit colours...I chose Melon, Kiwi and Banana, the papers are from Prima, lush colours aren't they and the beautiful image is from Sugar Nellie and called Verity, I coloured her with Distress inks and used some yellow ribbons and a saddle stitched ribbon bow, the fab ticket sentiment is made with a clear ticket stamp and a Friend stamp combined, the papers and ticket stamp are from Simon says Stamp...I finished with some pearls...the amazing sketch is from Mojo Monday, I love their sketches and Im enetering it in the DYSU anything goes challenge...thanks to everyone who joined in my colour combo last week and I hope you will give it a go again this week, when you have time pop on over to Colour Create and have a look at what the rest of our amazing team made...I'm off to the Supermarket with my Dad today oh and coffee too of course so we can read the papers and have a few rants about the news and put the world to rights, now if only they would put us in charge of a few countries we would all be sorted lol...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

Im so happy to report Dads loads better 'phew'-Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge week 94-Love

Good morning everyone and huge thanks to everyone who sent my Dad their best wishes Im am so happy to tell you hes loads better, wasnt quite well enough to be taken out to dinner but was to go for coffee and a chat and putting the world to rights and a rant at the newspapers lol...hes going on holiday with my Sister to Cyprus so hes involved in looking at villas and flights and seem almost his old self Im so relieved and happy...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar which this week is Love themed, huge thanks to everyone who gave my sketch a go last week but I think I made it too complicated as the number where done by a huge amount...oh well back to the drawing board lol...I used this beautiful Wedding couple from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love the way she touches his face, so cute, I coloured them with distress inks and the papers are Prima, fabulous papers, I used more seam binding from the Ribbon girl, I could get seriously addicted to this lush stuff, the sentiment is a Whimsy Love letter seal stamp, I added a few pearls and a crystal spray I got from a wedding shop ages ago...the sketch is from Sketch Saturday and Im also entering this for the DYSU Spots challenge and the Pear Tree Designs Valentine challenge...when you have time pop on over to the Just Magnolia blog, the work from the rest of our DT is amazingly beautiful as always...have a wonderful day everyone and I hope you get a bit of sunshine wherever you are
Mina xxx

Just a little bit more gingham-Crafts & Me challenge+Stamp something challenge+DYSU challenge

Good morning how are you all doing today...well and happy I hope...I did nothing yesterday except made a few cards and a bit of the dreaded housework, doesn't happen often but as there's only me here there's never much to do thank goodness, I officially hate housework its so boring isn't it...I'm off to lunch with my Dad and husband today and maybe a little wander around the shops I wouldn't mind the new Brits awards CD sounds a good un, what you all doing today...anything exciting?...my card for today is just a little bit more gingham this time in red...I must get a whole load of gingham in different colours to give as candy as I'm sure there are more gingham lovers than just me out there...this stunningly beautiful image is a Sweet Pea stamp called Ching-Chou Kuik's Seeing Through, I bought it from Crafts and Me, look at those amazing eyes, I coloured her with distress inks and glittered her wings...the gingham is Craft creations, I finished with a ribbon and lace strip and a button and another piece of ribbon for the sentiment...I cant for the life of me remember where the sketch is from, but its a challenge I know that much lol...I'm entering this for the Crafts & Me Red challenge, Stamp Something challenge and the DYSU ribbon challenge too...I have you have a brilliant day whatever your up to
Mina xxx

spots before my eyes-Just Magnolia & hAnglar challenge-Going Dotty+CLP challenge #32+Do you Stack up #4 Patterned paper

Good morning everyone...well I'm happy to report no supermarket rage yesterday...but....I was talking to one of the assistants (well you have to have a good gossip don't you) and someone last week threatened her...WHAT!!!!!...seriously now we only live in a small town what is happening to the world when the supermarket has things like that happening its crackers, and these are middle aged so called normal people, I know its not the most pleasant pastime but its really not that bad...should I be scared do you think, I don't need to be armed I have my Dad to set on them lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar and stAnglar challenge which this week is Going Dotty, so use any dotty or spotty papers on your creation, I did it again managed to use Christmas papers, I love that don't you, these are Kaisercraft Tis the Season paper pad papers from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the tag is from the same paper pack, the sentiment is from the Greeting Farm I think, this fab little hAnglar girl is so cute but I haven't a clue what shes called I'm afraid but I coloured her with Distress inks, isn't she just perfect for a spotty challenge...I finished my card with some lush satin ribbon and bow and two pins threaded with beads...the lush sketch is from CLP challenge and I'm entering this for the Do you Stack up patterned paper challenge too...now I'm off to hide under a blanket in case the supermarket nutters get me lol...have a fab day everyone and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia to check out the stunning work from the rest of our wonderful DT
Mina xxx

a little of my candy-Crafts & Me challenge-Monochrome+Simon says stamp Bingo+CES Challenge Angels&fairies+Do you stack up-Pink+Sketch & Stash sketch

Good morning everyone, I didn't have time for a chat yesterday, Sunday was a fabulous family day, gorgeous lunch with roast beef and all the trimmings then a choice of chocolate brownie and cream or apple and blackberry pie and custard, or if you were Phil or my BIL both lol...then all the girlies went shoe shopping for new boots for my sister, my lovely little Lucy (my niece) took a shine to an umbrella in the shoe shop and walked out with it, good thing my Daughter works there isn't it, we don't want any two year old shoplifters in the family...Sunday night when everyone had gone and Phil had gone back to work away was so so quiet though...you could have heard a pin drop, when I have had a lot of company and then it very quiet I tend to talk to myself, the madness of getting older I think lol...anyway onto my card for today, I thought I would show what some of the papers from my candy look like used, aren't they amazing colours and I'm so pleased I got them all for some lucky winner, these ones are Bittersweet Crashed Berry and Raspberry cream...the stunning image is a Sara Burrier digi from Crafts and Me and is called Poppy, I love love love these images...I coloured her with Distress inks and glittered her wings, the ribbon is from American crafts and the sparkly flower centres are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the crystal scroll is from Prima I think as there was just a little bit left on the plastic...I'm entering this for the Crafts and Me challenge which is monochrome (guess what colour I picked lol), the lush sketch is from Sketch and Stash (my stash is the papers and image), I'm also entering this for the CES Angels and Fairies challenge, Simon says Challenge (my choice of the bingo card was Ribbon, glitter and gems) and Do you Stack up Pink challenge...wow I don't think I have managed that many challenges together...right I'm off to catch up with some DT work have a great day everyone
Mina xxx

now is this a thought or a threat???? - Friday Sketchers sketch 137 + Do you stack up challenge 2-Distress it

Good morning everyone...well it wasn't a very successful house hunting trip I'm afraid...either they were too far out of town or the ones that weren't were teeny poky flats or houses with no parking, but my eyes are peeled and I have only just started...I felt in the need for some comfort food last night so I made something I haven't had for years and years...two slices of wholemeal bread with good Irish butter, very thinly sliced banana in layers and added honey then toasted, brown sugar works well if you have no honey but open the sandwich and toast the topping which makes the sugar caramelise...yum yum yum real feel good comfort food, try one they are fantastically delicious...right now onto my card for today which is using this amazing image from Crafts and Me, this voodoo fairy I think is my favourite from the Brigid Ashwood stamp sheet 1, she is absolutely fantastic to colour, I used a sentiment that could be either a threat or a kindly thought, you make up your mind lol...the stunning paper is from Crate Paper Kate Collection and is called Flower Girl, I distressed the edges and used some lush glittery ribbon and made a pinned bow with it too...I finished with more pins on the sentiment, Im entering this for the Do You Stack up challenge and the sketch is from Friday Sketchers...I hope Teresa will have sheet 2 of these stamps in soon as I cant wait to colour more of them...right now I'm off to do some serious crafting today as I still have loads to catch up on...have a fantastic day everyone and watch out for stray pins lol
Mina xxx