the lushest flower stamp ever...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...we got everything my Dad needed for his holiday thank goodness, honestly he is worse than three teenagers to take shopping lol...he needed a new pair of sunglasses as he sat on his Polo glasses and snapped the arm in half...so off we trot to loads of shops, lots of trying on and there were loads of them I thought were lush but after a while my Dad decides to tell me he really wants some of those sunglasses you can clip on top of your own glasses...well he could have told me before the first shop couldn't he, I cant get angry with him though hes to funny lol...so back to the drawing board today...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning flower stamp from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Magnolia Grove, isn't it stunning...I stamped it three times on card then four times on papers, I coloured the leaves and then cut out and mounted the flowers making the peach coloured one 3d...I love these Kaisercraft stamp sets they are just beautiful...the papers I used for the backing and the paper pieced flowers are from the My Minds Eye Miss Caroline-Howdy Doody 6x6 paper pad (I think its out of stock atm though)...the stamp and pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some pearls and a lush seam binding bow

the lush sketch is from the Stamp with Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for House of Gilli challenge and the Secret Crafter Saturday challenge too...right I'm off out for the sunglasses trek again so keep your fingers crossed for us that my lovely Dad doesn't change his mind again...gotta love him to bits haven't you lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
for the leaves - shabby shutters & peeled paint

distressing...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all safe and warm after the terrible weather the last few days, we still don't have any of it yet...did you all have a fantastic weekend?...we had a lovely Sunday lunch yesterday and it was brilliant catching up with my lovely Dad, he said he hadn't realised his eyes were so bad until after the tests he had and he was amazed he had driven so long, which is not a good thing to tell his constant driving companion is it lol...he is so looking forward to getting them fixed and my lovely Phil and our wonderful Daughter will all muster through for him until he can drive again and he is going to spend half his time at my Sisters too as she drives...I have never felt so frustrated in my life that I'm not able to drive and be his chauffeur like he has to me for many years, I so wish I could but will just have to make it up to him in other ways...right now onto my card for today, which is an unusual one for me, I don't usually do distressing as I find it really hard to get right but had a go at it with this card...its for our new challenge at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge and this month its a brilliant anything goes challenge, I cant wait to see what you come up with...I used one of February's new release digis at Crafts and Me called Forest Guardian for my card, what a stunning image isn't it, I coloured it with distress inks and even distressed the edges with Tattered rose...the amazing paper is a double sided one from the Baby 2 Bride collection called From This moment...isn't it just beautiful, I distressed the edges and cut out some of the roses for embellishments...I added some Clear Dew drops - 5g pack amazing value at 50p for 50 and a lush Silky Crush 38mm Ribbon - Champagne these are both from the Pretty Little Ribbon shop...I finished with a sentiment...I made the sketch up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Allsort's challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday challenge and Fab 'n' Funky challenge...I'm off out today as my Phil has a day off so you never know where we will end up, oh and of course Dad will come too...whatever your up to have a fantastic day and when you have time pop on over to The Pretty Little Ribbon shop challenge to see what the rest of the amazing team came up with
Mina xxx

Its a double day...

Good morning everyone and phew its a biggie today...its a double...first there's the Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteam blog hop, where you have a chance at winning one of two $5 vouchers for Mo's Digital Pencil, all you have to do is comment on all the DT girls lush makes on the hop and then there's my DT card for our new Colour Create challenge

ok no waffling this morning as this post is long enough without me gossiping so we will have to catch up tomorrow...you should have arrived here from the fabulous Debbie's blog to follow the hop, if you haven't and want a chance to win pop on over to the lovely Jane's blog to start at the beginning as you don't want to miss out on a chance...Jane chose our blog hop theme this month and she chose 'All you need is Love', I didn't go for the usual Valentine romantic route though I chose to use the amazing Dancing with Grandpa from Mo's Digital Pencil as I think this image just sums up the love of a grandchild and Grandpa don't you...I coloured them with distress inks and paper pieced her stunning little dress and her Grandpa's waistcoat with the same papers I used for the card, they are from the K and Co Julianne 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love this pad ssssooooo much...I added some Prima flowers, punched leaves and a sentiment I made on my laptop

the fabulous sketch is from the The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Secret Crafter Saturday challenge...your next stop on our blog hop is the lovely Pops who I'm sure has something amazing to show you...don't forget to leave a comment for all the girls for a chance to win...ok onto my Colour Create challenge card now...

our host this time is the fab Suzie who chose one of my favourite colour combos of Pink, Green & Neutral with an added option of handmade flowers, I didn't use the option as I thought there was enough flowers in the paper , our sponsor this week is the fabulous Kenny K and he sent us some stunning images to play with, how lucky are we...I chose to use the fabulous Biker Girl but I didn't want her to look too macho I still wanted to keep her feminine and girls...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed up with these lush papers from the Echo Park 6x6 Victoria Garden paper pad, I bought this from Bunny Zoe's crafts but I think its out of stock now...gorgeous bright colours isn't it and I love those roses...I finished with a strip of ribbon and a sentiment from a sheet from another pad...I'm entering this for the Sketch Saturday challenge and the Truly Madly Crafty Challenge...phew that was a mega post wasn't it...its supermarket day and my lovely Dad is back from his travels so we will be having a catch up...don't forget your comment to win and if you have time pop on over to the Colour Create challenge to see what the rest of the team made...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

p.s. I have candy on offer atm...just click on the butterfly on my sidebar to join in xxx

a cold and frosty morning...

Good morning everyone its getting so close to Christmas isn't it, I'm going to have to start thinking about the Christmas present list aren't I, there's no putting it off any longer, last night was so cold, clear and frosty it gave me a push...I love giving Christmas presents don't you, I think its a woman thing we love the look on peoples faces when they open them...I love the late night shopping by myself and going for speciality coffee and mince pies half way through and all the glitz and sparkle and carols....ooohhhh I'm getting that Christmas feeling now...my card for today I had so much fun making, I love these Ragged Carolers from Mo's Digital Pencil, they are amazing to colour too, did you know you can get all three Carolers and the lamp in a bargain set...I used two of the Carolers and the lamp on the front and the other little girl inside...

isn't this paper just perfect for the images, I bought it at the Kings Hall craft show and it by Teresa Collins Design and is called Noel Sheet music...I teamed it up with some fantastic Kaisercraft Acetate shapes called 13th Hour, pleated ribbon (lush isn't it) and a collection of poinsettia, I love these they are so fab...I'm entering this for the Winter Wonderland Vintage Christmas challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday Wrap up warm challenge and DYSU Trees challenge too...I'm off out today and you never know I might start the shopping today if I can think what to buy...whatever your doing have a wonderful day
Mina xxx

a few questions answered and more lush paper...

Good morning everyone how are you all doing, did you join in my new candy yet...the links on the side so why not give it a go...I have had a few emails over the last week asking me some questions about cutting out and paper piecing so here goes with my answers, I hope they help a bit...cutting out, I use a teeny tiny pair of curved Pergamano scissors which I keep razor sharp with emery boards, they are super pointy too (as my poor hands know only too well lol), I don't have a die cutting machine and use templates for the shapes of my image which I draw round and cut out with my scissors, my tried and tested method of cutting out fast is only move your image, I know that sounds strange but until you get used to it if you rest your arm with the scissors and only move your paper hand you will be surprised how fast you get, right now paper piecing when I cut out I edge the image with a black pen so I don't get any raw white edges and when they are stuck on I add shadows using a grey water colour pen, it makes a difference and makes it more dimensional...sorry for being so long winded, I would do some tutorials but I'm rubbish at them and take days to make just one...keep the questions coming I'm more than happy to help, well if I can...right onto my card for today which is using another of the lush Fairy Glen Sugar Nellie release available at Funkykits, this is the gorgeous Pippi Longsocks, isn't she so so cute, I coloured her with distress inks and glittered her up of course (you know the crafter's law don't you lol)...I used more of the fantastic Prima Madeline collection papers...I used another for the image mount and cut some teeny flowers from the paper for decoration...I'm entering this for the Lollipop Crafts challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday challenge and the Cutie Pie Bingo challenge...I'm having a crafting day today, oh I love these kinda days don't you...they always seem to be a Tuesday and Wednesday with me for some strange reason...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

hopping again with Fairy Glen - Day two...

Good morning everyone go on tell the truth now how many did you buy and which ones...well we are back again with a little bit more temptation...welcome to day two of the Fairy Glen Blog Hop...you should have arrived here from our wonderful Vicky's blog but if you didnt you should hop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog to start at the beginning, you really don't want to miss anything and you dont want to miss the chance of winning some goodies by commenting on all the Sugar girls blogs so go on get hopping, you know you want to...I have the great pleasure of showing off the amazing Jasmine, I love this fairy and her tiny frog don't you, she is stunning to colour, I coloured her with distress inks as usual and glittered her wings...this time I made an easel card

using these stunning papers from Prima, the shaped one is from a sheet of four shapes from the Madeline collection and its called Beautima, the striped paper I used for the bottom is from the same Prima collection and is the reverse of Parsley Place, I finished with some beautiful deep pink coloured lace and gingham ribbon...don't you think these colours suit Jasmine so well...the next stop on the hop is to the fabulous Marianne...don't forget the Fairy Glen collection is on sale now at Funky Kits...I'm off out with my lovely Husband today whatever your up to have a wonderful time everyone and when you have time dont forget to leave everyone a comment to get a chance to win some Sugar
Mina xxx
Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge,  and Secret Crafter Saturday challenge

Boo....Im back early...wanna 'cough cough' know why?...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and having a wonderful weekend, Im back four days early 'cough' anyone wanna know why?...guess 'cough cough'...I got a cold and then it developed into a chest infection well they say it always goes to the largest part of your body and its either there or my bum lol, I managed to wallpaper the living room but it took me two days instead of a few hours as my temp was up and down so much, so we gave up late Friday and we came home so I could go to the docs to get an antibiotic...right did you go all go aaaawwwww I hope so cause Im feeling very sorry for myself and need some soothing sympathy lol...right now onto my card for today which is just the perfect excuse to show these digis from Mo's Digital Pencil...the boy stamp is a paperdoll called Troy and hes sold along with a Balloon and overalls and the costumes comes in a set of three called Troy's Dress Up Monster Pack so you can use a different one with him each time you use him, the spooky house is a separate stamp too called Old (possibly haunted) House...aren't they fantastic and perfect for either Halloween or any boys card...I coloured Troy, the costume and house with distress inks and the fabulous paper is from Graphic45 A Proper Gentlemen Collection and is called Sporting Aristocrat...I finished with some buttons, ribbon and more of my fab cheap buy wooden letters from The Works...how cute does his little face looking peeking out. Im entering this for the Charisma Cardz challenge and the Secret Crafter Saturday challenge which are both Inspired by a Song challenge, my song is The Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and Im also entering this for the Papertake Weekly anything Goes challenge and CES Challenge too...Im off to wrap up with a hot water bottle and take my feeling sorry for myself face off to bed, whatever your up to today have a brilliant one...oh and don't forget you still have time to join in with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy
Mina xxx

A bit of glitter and some good vibes - Crafts & Me challenge 29 - my choice - Glitter

Good morning everyone, right which one of you pinched the good weather again...it was blowing a mini hurricane and raining here yesterday and the wind howled last night too, now I know we can get all four seasons in one day here but this is ridiculous...well at least its not freezing, well not yet anyway...well my Darling Dad is off on his jaunts today oh and I need you all to send my lovely Daughter loads of positive vibes as shes going for an interview for a promotion today which would make all the difference to her and her other half's life, so send good thoughts for her please...I was going to go with her as its a good distance away and she wanted me to go with her for the company, but didn't want to make her nervous as I feel nervous enough and I think it can sometimes rub off don't you...right onto my card for today which is for the Digi teams new challenge at Crafts & Me challenge and this week is my choice which is Glitter so whatever you want as long as it has glitter on it and remember it doesn't have to have a Crafts and Me image on it either...I tried to do CAS again I'm not quite sure if it works or not I don't really do Clean and simple so its hard to judge and whenever I see others they look so elegant and mine just looks bare... I used this fantastic Dusk image and chopped it down again, they work brilliantly like this don't they and by the way there's new digi's on Crafts and Me too now...I used some white glitterboard and a sparkly lilac and metallic ribbon, finishing with some of those super sparkly butterflies from Anita's stickers, I love these don't you...I'm entering this for the Papertake weekly Anything goes challenge, Secret Crafter Butterfly Saturday Challenge and the Stamp Something April Digi challenge too...I'm going to have a tidy day today and you never know what I will find, I may even do a bit of searching for holiday clothes too...whatever your up to spare a second to send some vibes to my darling Daughter please and have a good one
Mina xxx

Lili of the Valley-Challenge 53 + Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 83-Metal + Dare you to Digistamp 37-Anything goes

Good morning everyone and I want to thank you all so much for the lovely things you all said yesterday that was so kind of you but you haven't changed my mind about not entering anymore DT calls lol...I hope your doing something nice today my wonderful husband and me are going to a continental market mmmmmm yummy loads of garlic and olives...do you like my image today isn't she just amazing, stunning to colour too shes by an illustrator called Tammy Thompson and she sells her digistamps on Etsy here's the link to it, this one is called Poppy girl she has a very art deco feel about her doesn't she, I had to tell you about them as she has a sale at the moment too buy one get one free so of course I bought a few lol...I coloured this beauty with Distress inks and used the incredible paper I bought from thescrapbookstore while I was teaching in Dublin, its by Jillibean soup and is called Cup of Yak (Craft) (great name lol)...this card is using the stunning sketch by Bev at Lili of the Valley challenge and I have metal butterflies so Im entering the Secret Crafter challenge, I'm also entering it for Dare you to Digistamp as their challenge is anything goes...I finished with some lace a thick lush satin ribbon and bow and some pearls from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I hope you like it and enjoy your Sunday everyone
Mina xxx

Simon says Challenge-Something with wings + Papertake weekly Challenge 39-A sketch + Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge-Distressing

Good morning everyone isn't it wonderful to see the sun shining, I hope you all had a great Saturday afternoon and are going to have a wonderful restful Sunday too...my card for today is for Simon Says Challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and using the fabulous sketch from Papertake weekly too...I used one of my new Fairytale Tilda's and wow I think I'm in love...isn't she just gorgeous, shes called Bubbling Tilda, my ink pad still needs reinked so shes a little faded but matches the distressing I think, isn't it great to see Tilda's nose and mouth too and wow that hair is just amazing to colour, I bought my new Tilda's from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and they are in stock now not just preorder either...shes coloured with Distress inks which Bunny Zoe's stocks too

I love these stunning papers arnt they just lush, I bought this Pink Paislee Queen Bee 6x6 paper pad while I was in Dublin from Annamarie the woman who runs the classes, she has a great site called TheScrapBookStore, she brings loads of goodies to the classes so of course these arnt all I bought lol...the sentiment is from the Queen bee punchouts sheet so and I stamped the sentiment...I finished with some bias binding in grey/blue, that's the stuff you use to bind seams on dresses etc and its so cheap and a fab linen fabric, and I added some pins threaded with beads and a green heart...I hope you like it and enjoy your Sunday everyone
Mina xx