a stamp is not just for Christmas...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a fantastic week...it was a strange day yesterday, one of those days when you seem to be doing loads but not getting much done if you know what I mean...I had to book flights for my lovely Dad as hes going to a funeral in England...such a sad death of a young Nephew in tragic circumstances so not the best reason to be travelling and my Dad doesn't travel well alone now so Phil is going with him...I wanted to go but am not feeling up to travelling atm...I seem to be waiting ages for my operation don't I but it has only been about six weeks feels more like six months though...wish it would hurry up but the waiting lists seem to get longer and longer by the day here...so I will just have to be patient I guess...but anyway their flights are booked and they are away from Thursday for a week...don't know what I will do by myself for a week but my craft room is in desperate need of a clean up...Phil popped his head in the other day to ask if I wanted a cuppa and left shaking his head and muttering 'how can you find anything in that mess' lol...so a clean up is needed...that should keep me busy for a few days anyway and if I find some extra goodies I will do a candy...fancy some candy???...right now enough waffling...my card for today is using another Leanne Ellis stamp from Sugar Nellie...I know this little cutie is called Poinsettia Girl but it doesn't mean you can only use her for Christmas...I coloured her flower blue/green and made the card a bit more spring like and I think she matches it great...what do you think?, do you use Christmas stamps all year round too?...I coloured this beauty with my usual distress inks and papers from the lush Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...the flowered centre paper has metallic flowers and is gorgeous...the tag I used is from the same pad too...I added a yellow bow made with some Organza Ribbon - Sunflower (25mm Wide) and finished with a Prima flower and a punched heart...the pad and ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch us from the Sweet Stampin' Challenge and I'm also entering it for the ABC Challenge and the Feeling Crafty Challenge too...right I'm off to get Phil a new shirt for going away and some bin bags for the rubbish in my craft room lol...whatever your up to today I hope you don't have to waste a lot of it cleaning and tidying...take care and I will speak to you all tomorrow
Mina xxx
p.s. my colouring today is using the rubbish paper not the older one like yesterday's...what do you think is it better with the older one?...I think it is but would love to know what you think

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit and hat - wild honey, antique linen, iced spruce

flower - iced spruce, wild honey

shading - pumice stone

aaaarrrrggghhhhh revenge of the dreaded red...

Good morning everyone did you have a fab weekend?...well the Christmas tree is finally finished and the one in the kitchen too and Phil even did some more baking today...I did a little bit of Christmas shopping but still haven't made a dent in it yet 'groan' but never mind its a start isn't it...the weather was terrible here yesterday and I stepped out the car umbrella in hand ready for it, opened the umbrella and it immediately flew inside out bending and snapping it, umbrella has just gone onto my Christmas wish list lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month the theme is Wings but I have to apologise for the dreadful colouring on today's card...the dreaded red distress inks got its revenge for me saying I had cracked it yesterday...I got the whole of this gorgeous Whimsy stamp coloured and then got out the dreaded red...the paper was damp from the other colours so when I added red it just went wild lol...it didn't help that Phil said 'they are just a bit too red aren't they' about it, well yes just state the bleeding obvious why don't you lol... this gorgeous badly coloured stamp is called Whimsy Four Calling Birds and I used my distress inks for it...I paper pieced their cute little hats and added loads of Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust, the fabulous sentiment is another of the AmyR Stamps Christmas Verses II set of stamps and the lush papers are from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I finished my card with a bow made from Organza Ribbon - Burgundy (25mm Wide), a rose from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Honey (10pcs) pack and a few scattered flowers from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy set...the tag I used for the sentiment is from the same paper pad, everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Papertake Weekly Challenge, Card Makin Mamas Challenge and the Sweet Stampin' Challenge too...O need to have a bit of a catch up with my DT work today and start the wedding invitations for my lovely Niece too so busy busy busy...whatever your up to today I hope you have fun and I'm so sorry again for the sunburnt Robins lol

Mina xxx

 

distress ink colours used

robins - antique linen, frayed burlapm balck soot, fired earth

phones - peeled paint

tree bough - frayed burlap, peeled paint

shading - pumice stone

my favourite thing...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week...yes I remembered my card for today so no excuses needed thank goodness....oh no aaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh those big huge hairy spiders are back...I walked into my bedroom last night to get my pj's on and there it was in all its massive leggy horror staring at me...not one of us moved, I was scared to stop looking at it in case it ran and I lost sight of it and it was frozen by the light...I managed to shout of Phil and his trusty kitchen roll of death and he walked in saying 'bloody hell, that's a big un', which didn't fill me with any faith that my mind might have been exaggerating...he got rid of it but I spent the rest of the evening thinking I had seen something moving out of the corner of my eye...I know its not even a teeny bit rational but omg they really are huge you know, I will try and get Phil to catch the next one and show you but even hes a bit wary of them...right now onto my card for today oh and an answer to a question for an article on the Sugar Nellie blog I have been asked...first my card how perfectly christmassy is this fabulous Penguin Party from Sugar Nellie...so so cute isn't it...I coloured this with my usual distress inks and teamed it up with a non Christmas paper pad...these papers and the sentiment tag are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Stationary Noted pad which is on sale at Bunny Zoe's Crafts atm too

I finished with some beautiful organza ribbon I bought locally and holly leaves and buttons...the little clip I found in an office supply shop...aren't they so so cute

now for an answer to a question what is my favourite piece of crafting equipment and why...my all time favourite is my teeny tiny curved Pergamano scissors, I love them and use them for everything, I don't have a die cutter so everything you see cut on my cards are cut using these...even the holly leaves I used on this card were cut out with them...I couldn't craft without them...I keep them razor sharp with a very fine emery board, this takes any gooey stuff off them from tape etc and makes sure they never snag even the finest of materials...I cut very quickly by keeping my cutting arm still and moving whatever I'm cutting it takes a little while to get used too but really works, you can practise this by propping your arm onto a chair arm so it wont move...have a go I bet you will be surprised how fast you can cut

the sketch I used for my card I made up as I went along but am entering it for the Sister Act Card Challenge, Crazy 4 Challenges challenge and the Sweet Stampin' challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today not for anything exciting though, just a few bills to pay...oh if we didn't have bills how much craft goodies could we buy...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope my advice is helpful, let me know if it is I would love to hear about it

Mina xxx

at long last...

Good morning everyone and yes I finally made it...well the internet started working ok about 8ish last night but I think it wasn't a good idea posting at that time so you will have to wait a bit longer for the holiday photos...are you gutted?, yeah right lol...well my MRI scan was 100% worse than I thought it would be, considering I feel uncomfortable in a lift I should have maybe ticked the box on the safety form that said 'do you suffer from claustrophobia' but I don't really I just don't like closed spaces or is that the same thing do you think...I am shall we say a bit ample on the chest department and when I lie down its the part of me that is the highest so they were touching the top of the machine and as soon as I got inside my breathing went funny but with the help of some advice from the nurse I controlled it and managed the 30 minuets inside without screaming my head off, which could easily of happened, mind I was shaking like a leaf when I got out, I could hardly hold the water they gave me, that really isn't made for people of my proportions lol...I really wouldn't want to do that anymore than once in my life thank you very much...Phil's face when I walked out was priceless though lol, he took one look at me and said 'omg are you ok'...I'm fine though and its over so just have to wait for the results now...I will report back...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month was our lovely Tracy's choice and she chose Something Blue...I chose to use this stunning Whiff Of Joy Girls Rule (A480) stamp for my card..she has the most amazing hair and its a joy to colour...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and teamed her up with this stunning double sided Magnolia Blue Vintage Hydrangea 12" x 12" Paper...lush isn't it and perfect for the challenge...I added a fab bow made from some Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) and some beautiful swirls from the Prima Say It In Crystals Mini Swirls - Divine set...everything I used today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin' Challenge and the Paper Creator's Challenge too...I'm going to have a relaxing crafting day today and catch up on our holiday washing I think, well I cant avoid it forever can I...whatever your up to today have fun and if you get a chance pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog and take a peek at the rest of our fab teams makes...oh and btw we will be starting a new Guest DT call on Wednesday so I hope you will all go for it...bye for now

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

top - milled lavendar, faded jeans

heans - pumice stone

hair plaits - faded jeans

I so want these fabulous red glasses...

Good morning everyone are you having a lovely Easter week then, have you done anything exciting or are there some lucky one or two of you actually off to somewhere warm for the Easter break...if there is then tell us all so we can be green with envy...I would so love a week or two in the sun wouldn't you somewhere to warm my poor cold bones...well this is Phil's last day off work and hes back tomorrow, I will miss him but it will also be nice to get some me time if you know what I mean...well at least some me crafting time anyway lol...we were in town yesterday afternoon and stopped for lunch at a local coffee shop settled down with our paninis and coffee and on the next table were 5 twenty somethings...every single one of them was either on an iphone or tablet, fingers flipping like they were possessed hardly a word spoken between them...they finished and got up and I heard one girl say to the other...'I have really missed these coffees together haven't you' lol...seriously they could have just text, messaged or skyped (is there a plural of skype?) each other and saved on the coffee don't you think...whatever happened to the art of conversation...don't get me wrong I'm as addicted to technology as anyone else and post every day on here chatting away but given the choice of chatting to you all over coffee give me the coffee chat any day...right now onto my card for today...I so want these red glasses don't you...this cutie is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, now who else could draw this sweetie...this is the gorgeous Fabulous coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some of my last papers from the Teresa Collins Design Now and Then paper pad I bought it ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so I don't think its in stock atm though, I finished with some more of the lush Bunny Zoe's wired gingham ribbon this one is the Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy one, I also added a few flowers cut from a page from the same pad as an embellishment...the lush sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Sweet Stampin Challenge too...Phil's cooking tonight so we are heading to the shops to buy supplies for it today, I haven't a clue what hes making but as he cooks brilliantly I'm looking forward to it...have a fabulous day everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap

boots - frayed burlap

at last...

Good morning everyone at long last I can post again...I don't know if it was blogger or my connection but I could hardly get online yesterday and when I finally did about 7.30pm blogger wouldn't let me download anything...I have a sneaky suspicion that it may have had something with the work being done to the electricity connections as there are still thousands of homes with energy here still and our light kept flickering...but never mind what it was I'm back online now...amazing how much you get used to doing something isn't it...I spent most of yesterday double checking things because I was sure I had forgotten something...er....yes a post lol...Phil had to go into work yesterday and my Dad popped down for a cuppa...Dad hardly ever just pops in but we sat chatting about everything and anything...I had forgotten how easy conversations used to be before his hearing went and now its back its amazing...I'm loving it so much and he seems to want to be out and about and to speak to as many people as he can...he loves how he can now hold a real conversation with someone and has spoke to everyone he has seen since Friday...it has made so much difference to his life...in fact so much difference to us all...thank you all so so much for your wonderful comments about my Dad, he is so special and I'm so pleased I manage to show that to you all...right now onto my card for today which should have been yesterdays really but better late than never...how amazingly stunning is the dress and mask on this stunning Make it Crafty digi...she is called Christine Soprano and is wonderful to colour...I really enjoyed sitting down and colouring her with my distress inks...I teamed her up with some beautiful springlike papers from the Prima 6x6 - Tea Thyme paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but it was ages ago and its out of stock atm...I finished with some more of these addictive butterflies from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack which is also from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I don't seem to be able to stop using them as they go with loads of papers and there are lots of colours in each pack...of course the gems add a little bit of sparkle don't they and you cant beat a bit of bling can you...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge, Sweet Stampin' Challenge and the Challenge 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm cooking dinner for everyone tonight...way to go my little girl...so will be making a cottage pie and cheesecake one of our families favourite meals, I hope my lovely Dad wont find it too loud as all the chatter can get a bit over zealous lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and wherever you are I hope it doesn't snow for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

eyes - crushed olive

dress & mask- tattered rose, crushed olive

shading - pumice stone

a touch of love...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...its has been pouring from the heavens here for about five days, I think the apocalypse is creeping up on us don't you lol...with today's card my mind has been wondering about Valentines day I did a bit of research about it and found out the history of it is shrouded in myths and mysteries...if you want to read about it click here for some info...do you celebrate Valentines?, we don't usually as my darling Phil is the best Husband ever but doesn't have a romantic bone in his body bless him, but I really don't mind as he makes up for it everyday by just being there and being him...anyway it shouldn't be just one day that you show you love each other should it...I will give you an example of non romantic Phil...when we were first married I made everything for one valentines...I made a cake covered in hearts made loads of cut out heart confetti, you name it I did it...Phil came in from work enjoyed his specially cooked dinner and cake admired all the decorations etc then said 'lovely but what's all this about then?' lol...I think that's the last time I did it...right now onto my card for today and you will never guess what it is lol...yes Valentines card of course...how cute is this Wild Rose Studio - Bella's Valentine sweetie...perfect for any card to show you love someone...I coloured it with distress inks as always and teamed it up with these lush papers from the Wild Rose Studio 6 x 6 Paper Pack - Always and Forever pack...they are so so pretty aren't they...I finished my card with some pretty pink gingham ribbon, a tiny heart charm from the Set of 6 Heart Charms and some lush Mini Open Roses - Pink everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin challenge and Crafting When We Can challenge too...I'm having a nice snug warm crafting day today and I think I will make a cake too...I'm in the mood for a bit of Victoria sandwich sponge yum yum...whatever your up to have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

elephant - pumice stone, spun sugar

shading, hearts and ribbon - barn door, spun sugar, victorian velvet

altogether now.....Santa clause is coming to town...

Good morning everyone...bet your singing in your head now lol...isn't it amazing that when you get your head in the 'mode' you can get more done in one morning than you have in the month before...I got loads of the extras for Christmas done yesterday I was like a woman on a mission stotting from shop to shop, lists in hand ticking things off as I went and whoosh before you knew it finished what I had to do, I still have a bit to do but didn't have the lists with me lol, I'm one of those people that makes lists for everything or I would remember nothing at all...I kinda wished I had the rest with me I'm sure I would have got the whole lot finished...well we finally managed to get our Daughters car fixed it would have been cheaper to buy her a new one lol, well that's a bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean...we said we would get it fixed for her Christmas present as she needs her car but it seems strange just having little things to put under the tree for her...mind Phil says my idea of 'little things' and other peoples are totally different things and most people would call my 'little things' main presents...well shes our only child and is meant to be spoilt don't you think lol...right now onto my card for today and Santa has finally arrived, I just realised the other day I hadn't used a Santa image for a card this year, well that had to be rectified asap so here's the fabulous happy gorgeous Skating Santa...isn't he brilliant, look at that face...hes by Rick St Dennis...I coloured him with distress inks and glittered him up to within an inch of his life lol...the amazing papers are a sheet from Cosmo Cricket's Dear Mr Claus range and is called Santa's Letters...I love the stripe side combined with the ornaments side don't you...see this is why I love double sided papers they go together so well and you don't even have to think about it...I finished with a thin red ribbon and attached a ribbon bow to one of the baubles cut from the paper...I have no idea where the sketch is from I found it in an old notebook and liked it so used it, if anyone knows tell me so I can give them credit please...I'm entering this for The Pretty Little Ribbon challenge, House of Gilli challenge and the Sweet Stampin challenge too...I'm off to finish the rest of my lists today while I'm on a roll...whatever your up to today have a good one

Mina xxx
p.s. I just remembered the sketch is from Sunday Sketch & Stamp challenge

distress ink colours used

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

shading - pumice stone

boots, belt & gloves - black soot

suit and hat - fired brick

nothing says Christmas like a bit of....pink?...

Good morning everyone did you have a fab Saturday...we went to the continental market but our lovely lady who sells all the olives and the lush smoked garlic had no garlic...OH NO!!!!!....but she said she is heading for the Belfast Christmas market this week which is a fabulous market at the front of the Town Hall so we will head there next weekend and get some and it gives us a chance to get some of the fabulous continental foods they sell there...we had hot roast boar sandwiches last year when we visited all washed down with mulled wine...so so lush....and of course I can get some Christmas shopping done while I'm there too...oooohhhh I forgot to tell you when I wasn't feeling good last Monday I made a monumental  decision (well for me anyway) after 40 years of smoking (my one vice) I gave up...I must admit it has been a massive struggling but I'm still going strong...I have been gobsmacked at how supportive everyone has been and how much they had encouraged me so much...I think it helps that Phil gave up a couple of years ago and he was part of my reason for giving up...I didn't smoke all day Monday because I wasn't well and put on a fluffy warm cardigan and took it straight off again because it smelt so badly of stale smoke and it suddenly hit me I must have smelt like to Phil all the time...yuck...poor bloke I don't know how he managed cuddling at all...I don't know if I will manage it but I am trying my best and so far haven't strayed at all (fingers crossed) and I must admit to being a bit chuffed with myself too lol...right now onto my card for today, I love this gorgeous Madison Attitude image from Kenny K she is such a perfect girlie image isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks and used some of the lush Kaisercraft - The Lake House 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts I think its out of stock atm though...the love sentiment is from the same pad and I finished with a lush ribbon bow from my stash and a few little pearls...I'm entering this for the Totally Papercrafts challenge, Sweet Stampin challenge and the Totally Gorjuss challenge too...we are getting stuck into one of our spare rooms today, its about time it was done we have put everything off lately and its time to get on with them...well that's the plan anyway but you never know do you lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant day and keep your fingers crossed for my giving up please

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed linen, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet, shabby shutters

bags - victorian velvet, pumice stone, shabby shutters

boots - black soot

BFF...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a brilliant day yesterday, its was another soggy one here, it poured all day and most of the night again but my lovely Dad went out for a little mooch with me anyway and we had a little walk through Lidl too, I love their jam sssssssoooooo much its scrummy on croissants so I grabbed a couple of jars at 80p each...oh I do love a bargain don't you, and my Dad loves their chocolate digestives too so we got some of those for him too...hes back off on his travels tomorrow, off back to Belfast and then the Monday after next hes off to England, I'm so pleased hes able to get out and about like that I think it would break his heart if he was stuck in the house, remember how bad he was when he couldn't drive after his eye operation...my card for today is using this fantastic High Hopes stamp, its called Cat Trio and I think its perfect for a BFF (best friends forever) card don't you...I coloured them with distress inks and teamed them up with these lush papers from the Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Vintage Blue pad, stunning aren't they...I finished with a punched border white ribbon and bow and a fabulous Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton flower...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts , the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin' challenge and Di's Digi Design challenge...we are of to the Ikea sale today, I couldn't resist any longer, I tried honestly but theres no way...I think we might stop for a spot of lunch on the way too...whatever your up to have a brilliant day...oh I will be back a little later with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy winner
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
cat no 1 - pumice stone, black soot,
middle cat - antique linen, frayed burlap, pumice stone
cat 3 - frayed burlap, antique linen
noses - victorian velvet
bird and flower - stormy sky, scattered straw, shabby shutters
star - stormy sky
heart - scattered straw

a lot of cutting out...

Good morning everyone I hope your having the nice weather we are having, its not hot or warm even but at least the sun is out and hopefully it will stay that way for a while...I didn't go out with my lovely Dad yesterday as hes off to visit my Sister in Belfast so I had just settled down for an afternoon on my own when Phil arrived home from the racing to take me out for lunch, he really is one of life's sweethearts isn't he...nice lunch then we went and looked at the outside of some houses on my ever expanding list...they are all too far out of town though...isn't Estate agent speak very elastic...one description said 'walking distance to town', we gave up looking after three miles, now that's a long walk isn't it lol...I think you have to read between the lines don't you, character property means falling to bits and centrally located means in the wilds lol...now onto my card for today which is using this stunning Sara Burrier image from Crafts and Me, isn't this Teas and Sandwiches image just stunning, I coloured it with distress inks and cut it out, I know I'm mad but I do enjoy a long cut out, well when I say long it has to take less than ten minuets or I get bored lol...I cut a hole in the card and mounted the image over the hole so it would look more dimensional...did it work ok do you think?...these stunning papers are from the My Minds Eye-A Happy Heart 6x6 pad, amazing colours aren't they...the patterns were so nice I didn't think I needed anything but a gold twinkly organza ribbon and bow to finish...the sketch I made us as I went along but I'm entering this into the Crafty Calender challenge, Sweet Stampin challenge and the Crafts 4 Eternity challenge too...now onto tomorrows post and we are having a sneak peek all week of the new release at Sugar Nellie so my post wont be live until 9am instead of 7am, just in case you thought I was missing early morning I thought I better let you know...I haven't a clue what we are up to today but whatever your up to have a fabulous day
Mina xxx
p.s. I will be back with my ribbon candy winner later

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - gathered twigs
mushrooms - pumice stone
dresses - stormy sky, spiced marmalade, victorian velvet, spun sugar

a Sunday covered in roses...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a wonderful Sunday...the weather was sunny here yesterday which Phil was happy about, there's nothing more miserable than being outside all day long in the soaking rain is there, although his face was a little bit red last night from the sun and that's with sun screen on...poor lad lol...I didn't go out all yesterday but did a bit of cooking and a bit of crafting too so managed not to just lie about...it would seem the sleepy sickness has worn off a bit...we are heading to Town today for a little mooch about and some lunch so stretching my legs will be nice and lunch even nicer...its the Belfast craft show this week are any of you northern Ireland crafter's going to it, I think I might just head there on Thursday to stock up on some essentials, I mean where else can you get huge rolls of easilift tape for £1 each, its worth the trip just for them I think...right now onto mu card for today which is using the stunning Iris from Crafts and Me, I love the look on her face don't you, so peaceful and serene...I coloured her with distress inks and of course glittered her wings, I used the K&Company Julianne 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts again, this pad is such amazing value it last for ages and I still haven't used even half of it...I'm so pleased I bought it...I finished my card with some beautiful cream satin and blue organza ribbons and roses and leaves cut from the same pad...a little hint for you if your cutting out flowers like these cut them from the bottom layer, I traced around the blue layer and leaving an edge cut out the flowered paper and cut them from that, does that make sense at all...the sketch I made up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Sweet Stampin' challenge, Simon Says Stamp challenge and the DYSU challenge too...I'm off to finish a card then get ready for Town, whatever your up to today have a brilliant sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
dress, wristbands and iris - antique linen, stormy sky

fancy a sleepover?...

Good morning everyone I hope your weekend is going brilliantly, I went to Town yesterday and despite visiting many shops I came up with a total blank for Phil, I'm totally stumped, I should have kept the processor for our Anniversary shouldn't I, hes not a gadget man, the new tent he has his eye on for going round the races is way out of my price band and the everyday things like, watch, phone, camera etc he has them all and whats worse he has the ones he wants so I cant even improve on them...so I decided I will just cook something for him next week...well it seems like an idea anyway, maybe not the best one but the only one lol...anyway onto my card for today which is using this fantastic Slumber Party Dena from Mo's Digital Pencil, isn't she just perfect with this paper...I coloured her with distress inks and the paper is from Graphic45 An ABC Primer collection and is called Games and Playtime...I added some Prima letters (well I think they are by Prima must double check) and some lush striped ribbon and a huge red button to finish...the fab sketch is from the Stampin' Royalty challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin' challenge too...I think we are heading out for a walk along the beach today if the weather is the same as it was yesterday, if not it will maybe be a lazy late breakfast and chill out day instead...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
sweater and stripes- stormy sky
boots, skirt and stripes on shorts - scattered straw
sleeping bag and handbag - peeled paint

beautiful Belle...

Good morning everyone have you got anything exciting happening this weekend...go on tell me I'm dead nosey you know lol...I got a phone call from my Dad yesterday did I fancy a trip out?...how says I, apparently over the last few days he has been taking longer and longer jaunts on his own in the car and he is driving like a dream, sneaky man lol...well we went out and even got to have 'put the world to right' coffee too, hes like a new man, super confident and fascinated at how much he can see and the distance he can see...he said something that made me have a big lump in my throat though, he said every morning he wakes up hes scared to open his eyes in case his eye has gone back to the way it was before.... aaaaaawwwwww I gave him a hug and told him it wont happen now its fixed it will stay fixed and its only a few more weeks before the other is done too...it isn't an urgent case like the last one and he can see with his glasses on fine just in case you think hes driving around half blind, I may be a bit nuts but I'm not nuts enough to get in a car with a half blind man I promise you lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this fabulously gorgeous new Ribonita release sweetie from Sugar Nellie, shes called Belle and is available from Funky Kits...I coloured her with distress inks and added just a hint of glitter (couldn't resist, once I open the glitter glue I have to use it lol), the fab papers are from Basicgrey Marjolaine collection and are called Tuxedo Pie, lush colours aren't they, I dinished with a fab satin ribbon, sentiment, buttons and cut some of the flowers from the paper to finish...the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge and Sweet Stampin' challenge too...I'm heading to town today to see if I can get any ideas for an Anniversary present for Phil, I haven't a clue at all so any ideas gratefully accepted...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx
p.s. if you havent joined in my candy yet you better hurry up today is the last chance it finishes at 12 midnight gmt tonight...good luck everyone

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
dress - tumbled glass, shabby shutters
shoes - shabby shutters
headband and ribbon - stormy sky
shading - pumice stone

groovy baby...

Good morning everyone, how are you all doing, well and happy I hope...well we have another weeks respite from telling my Dad he cant drive yet, I never realised but he was really struggling because he wore very strong bifocal glasses, half because he basically couldn't see any distance at all and the bottom just reading glasses, so it wasn't until I saw him yesterday I realised he cant read because he cant wear the glasses as they were hurting his new eye...so off to the opticians we went and between us came up with the idea of putting clear glass in his right lense but adding the bifocal part for reading, that was the only way we could think that he would still be able to wear his glasses for his 'bad' eye and be able to still see with his new one...does that make sense, well it did to me and the optician lol...I took the opportunity to ask the optician about how bloody my Dads eye is, he said its not too bad just looks bad to me and was telling me that a few weeks back he had a guy come rushing in to ask him the same thing, he had sneezed the day after his op and hemorrhaged in the eye, he said he hadn't seen anything like it before and it made even him cringe, his story made the bones in my legs ache if you know what I mean lol...so its a week before his specs come back as they have to be sent away so his eye should be well on its way to being healed and he can maybe get in the car then...fingers crossed...btw are you fed up yet with my never ending stories of my Dads eye lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenges this time is our lovely Vix's choice and she chose Light Airy Spring Colours, this gorgeous groovy chic is called Fashion Melody and shes from Crafts and Me of course, I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced parts of her dress and her headband...don't those colours suit her...the lush paper is another one of my hidden stash sheets and is from Making Memories Flower Patch collection and is called Large Floral Flower Patch, the large green check is the reverse...all I needed to finish my card was a peach and green ribbon and a huge Prima flower, don't remember the name of the flower pack I'm afraid...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin Challenge and the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge...I'm having a crafting day today as my one yesterday was cut short by going out, so a lock in day in my craft room is called for I think...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and if you have time pop on over to our Crafts and Me challenge blog and see the lush work the rest of our team came up with
Mina xxx

distress ink colours
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
coloured part of dress - tattered rose, shabby shutters

Tall enough to be continued...

Good morning everyone, I'm feeling loads better today, I decided to give myself a shake, take some tablets and have a little play yesterday so I was sorting out some buttons and took my two tablets...little sort more then looked at my desk and there was a tablet...yep you guessed it, I took one tablet and one button lol...its not the first time I have done something like this and nearly swallowed a charm one day, see what crafting does for you, distracting or what and so strange but I spent loads of time wondering what colour button it was lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Colour Create challenge and this time I'm the host, if you remember a few weeks back I made a yellow card and I loved the colour so much it inspired my choice of YELLOW, GREY, BLACK & WHITE and my added extra option is flowers, I hope your all going to join in, I cant wait to see what you come up with, I am totally gobsmacked at what our team made and they really seemed to like the colours, I hope you do to. I used the fantastic Introducing Oskar from Mo's Digital Pencil, isn't he fantastic and as soon as I saw him I knew what the sentiment would be, my Mum used to say this all the time when she saw a tall man...I coloured him with distress inks and the gorgeous yellow paper is a double sided scrap so I haven't a clue which make it is, so if one of you know leave me a comment telling me please...I printed the sentiment and added a few punched flowers and finished with some buttons...oooohhhh ssssshhhhh don't mention buttons lol...the fab sketch is from Papertake Weekly challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Card Crew challenge and Sweet Stampin challenge...I'm off to get some crafting done now and will be back a little later to show you a new toy I have so keep an eye out for it...whatever your up to today have a brilliant sunny yellow one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
trousers and hair - pumice stone
shoes - scattered straw

at long last...

Good morning again, yes at last, don't know what happened but I couldn't get my photos to upload no matter how I tried to do it...I think it was a problem with my internet connection yet again...oh well never mind at last its done...I had a lovely crafting day yesterday and played with some stuff I hadn't used for ages, that's what happens when you do a clean up isn't it, you come across loads of things you had forgotten about, I didn't get any commenting done though as my internet was like ploughing through treacle, so will have a catch up today instead. I had a little look at CHA videos a couple of minuets ago and saw a Tim Holtz one for the new distress markers, they look so lush but I think they will be horrendously expensive, if anyone of you fab surfers know how much they are let me know will you so I can start saving now, I definitely will need the Picket Fence one (white) as I can see loads of uses for that one, hhhmmmmm I wonder if they are refillable...right now onto my card for today which is using this gorgeous little Kraftin' Kimmie stamp called Tori which is on sale too, bargain price...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her top with the one of the papers I used, they are two of the new Magnolia papers, Magnolia Cloudy Pink Hearts 6x6 and Magnolia Cloudy Purple Hearts 6x6, they are so soft and pretty aren't they, I finished with a lush pink satin ribbon and bow, a resin flower from the Blossoms-resin flowers Fuschia pack and a sentiment that comes with the stamp, everything I used except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash challenge (I chose sketch 40), I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin challenge and Simon Says Stamp challenge...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today as we had a little bit of bad news yesterday and I'm trying to get my head around it, I will let you all know when my head stops spinning lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

they have arrived...

Good morning everyone well there's no more waiting the Adorables have arrived at the House of Sugar...I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday planned, let me know what your going to be up to today...why?...because I'm nosy is all lol, we are going Christmas shopping today, well we have to start sometime don't we so wish us luck we will need it Saturday afternoon Christmas shopping...are we mad...my card for today is another of the stunning new Adorables...this is the stunning Rebecca

isn't she just beautiful?...I coloured her with distress inks and use another of my favourite Graphic45 papers for her, this is from the The Magic of Oz collection and is called Yellow Brick Road, I love gingham and the blue is gorgeously faded isn't it...I finished with a gold gingham ribbon from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop and a stamped sentiment...wait until you see what the rest of the DT have come up with, wow they are stunning

I'm entering this for the Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge, Sweet Stampin Challenge and Dutch Dare Card challenge too...right I'm off to get ready to shop, I love Christmas but hate crowded shops I like to shop midweek when the shops are less busy but because Phil works away we have to do joint shopping when we can, so fingers crossed we make it out unscathed and without suffering any serious damage on other...have a wonderful Saturday everyone and watch out for the elbows and when you have time pop on over to the rest of the Sugar Nellie DT to see more Adorables
Mina xxx

a friend called Freddie...

Good morning everyone...before I tell you about today's card I wanted to explain why I haven't been myself over the last few weeks...I have been a bit subdued and not myself because of something that happened in my crafting life, something very unpleasant and so upsetting it knocked me on my bum, I wont bother you all by explaining it to you but I just wanted to say with Phil's help and a very good friends advice I have picked myself up and am coming out fighting, I dusted myself off and I'm back on form, I will also be answering your emails as usual now too as I haven't been, so please keep sending them I'm happy to help any way I can as always...I'm sorted now and back with a vengeance lol...we had a nice day yesterday nothing exciting but it was lovely to spend a day you don't usually together, did that make sense at all?...but I knew what I meant lol...onto my card for today which is using another of the stunning Fairy Glen release from Sugar Nellie called Faye and Freddie...how cute is this little darling on her toadstool with her frog friend...I must admit I have loved using this new release, they are fab to colour...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with this amazing Echo Park paper from the A Walk in the Park collection called Playful Stripes, the green is the reverse...I added some of the new lush flowers I bought from Charmed Cards and Crafts, the little glittery ones and the leaves are from the Petaloo Cream velvet hydrangea pack and the lush pink one is of course a Prima...gorgeous aren't they...I finished with a ceramic sentiment from my stash...the lush sketch is from Inspirational Card Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin challenge too....ooooohhhhh did you see I won the fabulous Chris's candy yesterday, I was gobsmacked...wwwwoooohhhhoooo papers to play with...I'm having a crafting day today a bit of play time...whatever your up to today I have you have a brilliantly happy one
Mina xxx

the return of the colour fairy...

Good morning everyone...yes about time too my colour fairy has returned with a vengeance... Autumn is a funny time of year isn't it, everything turns kinda muted and I think my brain had gone there too lol...but with these stunning papers it has defo returned...my card for today is for the digi teams new challenge at Crafts and Me Challenge, this week is our lovely Vixx's turn to choose and she chose the theme of Stripes...this lush We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue Rainbow connection paper fit the bill perfectly didn't it...I used the beautiful Analinda digi stamp from Crafts & Me coloured with distress inks and glittered to within an inch of her life...well a bit of glitter never hurt anyone did it...I finished my card with some lush ribbon, a Prima rose and a sentiment...the fab sketch is from Sweet Stampin challenge and I'm also entering this for the Stamp with Fun and Cardmadfairy's digi challenges too...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today but have a feeling I will be seeing Phil sometime today I think he has man flu and we all know how bad that is don't we...have a wonderful day everyone and if you have time pop on by the Crafts & Me challenge blog to see what the rest of our wonderful team made
Mina xxx