all about the paper...

Good morning everyone are you having a fantastic weekend?...anything exciting happening?, I would love to know what you thought of the Sugar Nellie two day hop and which is your favourite new stamp...now I need an aaaaaawwwwwwww from you all, I didn't even get through to the next round of the Graphic45 call, but then it was a massive long shot going in for it, its mainly a scrapbooking DT I think and I don't scrapbook so I'm not disappointed at all and dont take things like that personally, there are many reasons to pick someone for a DT and I just didnt fit this one...I have fabulous news about my wonderful Dad, he got his appointment for his eye measuring would you believe the end of May and was told it would take at least 4 months after that for his operation appointment so we all had a good talk and decided he should have it done in a private hospital, he has an appointment on Tuesday and all being well his operation will be 29th March, wow how fast is that...I am so so excited for him he has been really struggling bless him, hes an avid reader, in fact I have always said its a good thing toilet paper doesn't have writing on it or we will never get him out of the loo, but he has been struggling the last few months to see to read...that will all be behind him this time next month and I cant wait for him to be able to drive again so we can be off on our jaunts together, we have both missed them so much, so keep your fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for him...right now onto my card for today which is using this fabulous Some Odd Girl image called Sweet Kaylee, I bought her ages and ages ago and looked for the link to her but cant find it in their shop...I coloured her with distress inks and used a half sheet of an amazingly coloured double sided Basicgrey Marjolaine collection paper called Mint Fudge, isn't that a fabulous name and it really suits the paper perfectly doesn't it, I let the paper dictate the sketch as the large flowers are cut from the reverse and I punched more flowers from the paper, all I needed to add was some lush coloured buttons (and no I didn't swallow any lol)...I'm entering this for the CES challenge, Delightful Challenge and the One Stop Craft challenge, I have been so so busy lately I haven't had any blog hopping time but I will tonight so I cant wait to see what you have all been up to...we are taking my Dad to town today for a little mooch and maybe a spot of lunch...whatever your doing I hope its a good day for you
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
skirt & hairslides - faded jeans
shoes, bag & top - shabby shutters
shading - pumice stone

take two...

Good morning everyone I hope you all have a fantastic weekend planned...I have loads to tell you about but that will wait until tomorrow as today its day two of the brand new Ribonita and Friends release at Sugar Nellie, which ones are your favourites? I bet you change your mind again today, I have been like that since I saw them and every one I colour is my next favourite

you should have arrived here from the amazing Jane's blog and if you didn't and you would like the chance of winning some sugary goodies then hop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog to start at the beginning...I used the stunning Alice for my card today, isn't she beautiful, I love colouring stripe's and hair and I had loads of both to colour to my hearts content on this beauty, I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her hairband, dress and shoes, the stamps are available now at Funky Kits

the papers are from the same Stampin Up set as yesterdays card, I have no idea what you call this type of scene card, I made three layers and the back one I inked some clouds, I think you can just see them, should have been a bit heavier handed I think lol...I think the card sort is either a shadow box card or box card but I'm probably wrong, let me know if you know...I finished with a printed sentiment and a scattering of different size butterflies...I love these cute Ribonita's and cant wait to ink the rest up...the next stop on our hop is the super talented Tiet's
who has something spectacular to show you I'm sure...don't forget to leave comments on all the girls blogs along the way for a chance to win and whatever your doing this weekend have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, Joanna Sheen challenge and Cute Card Thursday challenge too
distress ink colours used
sking - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - walnut stain, frayed burlap
tights - shabby shutters, tumbled glass
shading - pumice stone

hopping along...

Good morning everyone, wow how fast is this year flying by, can you believe its already March...its time for our new release double blog hop at Sugar Nellie...your should have arrived here from the wonderful JANE'S blog but if you didn't and would like to join in the hop (and why wouldn't you, if you leave a comment on everyone's blog you get the chance to win some prizes) then pop on over to the SUGAR NELLIE BLOG to join in from the beginning

for my card I used this gorgeous Hedgehog stamp called Sweet Success, look at that little face, isn't it adorable...I coloured this little cutie with distress inks and used more of the lush Stampin Up Everyday Enchantment papers...I love the papers in this collection...I finished with some splashes of red in the ribbons and buttons

there is so much gorgeousness to see on the rest of the blog hop and there's a brand new designer called Carla Chaves, shes from Portugal and wow the Ribonita's are beautiful... I bet you will fall in love with all the new stamps...they go on sale at Funky Kits today...your next stop on our hop is the lovely and talented
VICKY
...don't forget to leave us all a bit of love so you get a chance of winning some sugar, and join us for day two tomorrow...enjoy the rest of your day
Mina xxx

look what I got...

Hi everyone, me again but this time I want to show you my new toy...have you noticed that since Christmas my card photos have got a lot clearer and brighter...well I'm sure you remember how many times I was screaming because I couldn't get any decent daylight photos, I think I broke a couple of eardrums doing it lol...well the fabulous people at The Daylight Company took pity on me and gave me one of these amazing Clip-on Studio Lamp and Stand light to have a play with

yes I know...how lucky am I. I must admit when it arrived I had an open mind but didn't hold out much hope that it would make a huge difference...so when I got my camera at Christmas I had a bit of a play and the more I played the more impressed I was

I don't have a fancy light tent or box or anything but use my fireplace mantle to take photos as its the closest high point to a large window, so you can see I don't use any background or anything and the light being on a stand means I can move it up and down to whatever height I need, in fact I used it above the pencil box I made for the Graphic45 post

I have to admit though this has been such a fantastic tool, I don't have to dash round finishing cards before the sun goes in (we have all been there haven't we lol) and can take photos anytime day or night even without sun...and to show you the difference I took two shots with and without the lamp at exactly the same time

this is without the light

with the light

isn't the difference amazing, I am mighty impressed aren't you...oh and by the way just before I leave you in peace The Daylight Company also have a Facebook page if you want to check it out...enjoy the rest of your night and I will speak to you all tomorrow for the start of the two day Sugar Nellie blog hop
Mina xxx

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

one cute indian...

Good morning everyone...ok own up who did it then?, who gave me the dreaded lurgy then...I knew I shouldn't have mentioned sore throats and bugs...its like the word 'barbecue' you can guarantee if you say it there will no longer be the weather for it...I have some sort of virus or something, headache, sore throats, temperature up and down like a lift, the works...'cough cough' do you feel sorry for me yet (I dont really have a cough just put that in for effect), if not I can prattle on a bit more about it...had enough? lol...I had a brilliant night catching up with loads and loads of your wonderful blogs last night...loved every second of it, I don't get enough time to do it lately though and miss it so much...its definitely getting warmer here, do you want to know how I know, promise not to laugh though...butter!...we use real Irish butter (of course) and when its getting warmer its much easier to spread lol...right enough butter weather reports onto my card for today...how cute is this fabulous little stamp from Nellie Snellen, the cutest little Indian I have ever seen...shes called Prickly (YORE010) I coloured her to match and teamed her up with these beautifully soft papers from the Kaisercraft - Pink Gelato 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, the sentiment tag is from the same pad too...I finished with some rich orange ribbon and an organza bow, the gorgeous orange resin flowers are from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Dahlia everything except the ribbons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge, Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Party Time Tuesday challenge , I have no idea what I'm up to today but my blanket and sofa calls to me atm so might be a 'feel sorry for myself and lie around day', if anybody want the virus I have feel free to email me I'm happy to pass it on, I'm generous like that lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
colours used for clothes - tumbled glass, milled lavender, spiced marmalade, pumice stone
feathers - scattered straw
cactus - shabby shutters, spiced marmalade

ooohhhhh dont you love a sneaky peek...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...there seems to be loads of colds and sore throats going around again so stay warm and away from all those germs...I did go out yesterday but not with my gorgeous little girl (little girl, shes 26 lol) she decided to have a long lie in on her day off and who can blame her, I went by myself for a little mooch and some coffee...I didn't put the world to rights though as you look a little crazy ranting at yourself about news and would get carted away by the men in the white coats and I cant risk that you know...they might not let me out lol
don't you just love a little sneaky peek at something new coming out...did you see the lovely Pat's amazing card yesterday on the Sugar Nellie blog, omg that woman can colour...its my turn today to give a little sneak peek of the brand new release from Sugar Nellie...these little bits of sugary gorgeousness will be on sale from Friday March 2nd and of course we will be having our two day hop as always...so much gorgeousness to see and there's a brand new designer called Carla Chaves, shes from Portugal and wow the Ribonita's are beautiful...

this stunning little girls and her chick friends is called Pip & Chicks, perfect for Easter isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks...the lush papers I used for my card are from Stampin Up and are their Everyday Enchantment papers...stunning colours aren't they...I finished my card with a Melissa Francis tag, a stamped sentiment from Kaisercraft's and a lush ribbon and bow...oh and I also cut out some of the flowers from the papers for decoration...I'm entering this for the Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge and Crafty Creations challenge too...dont forget to pop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog for continued sneak peeks everyone...I'm off to lock myself in my craft room today, I'm having one of those creating days, I love them don't you and boy they fly past... whatever your doing today have a wonderful one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair, antique linen
dress - broken china, stormy sky
shading - pumice stone
shoes and ribbon - worn lipstick

a touch of blue and some sneak peek news...

Good morning everyone I hope you had a wonderful weekend, we had a quiet weekend Phil was at a meeting most of Sunday as its the start of the road racing season and he had to sort out which races he will be marshaling for, my lovely Dad came home on Saturday along with a visit from my Sister and her two gorgeous kids, they just get lovelier every time I see them...so besides from that there wasn't much happening...I wanted to thank you all for your fantastic comments for my Graphic45 DT call entry yesterday, I really wasn't sure if I should go for it or not but with a few shoves from a couple of good crafter friends I did and your comments gave my confidence a real boost yesterday, I will catch up with you all tonight I promise...I did loads of commenting last night but it was DT commenting so cant wait to catch up with all your lovely blogs tonight...right now enough waffling Mina get on with it...my card for today is using this stunning digi from Crafts and Me, isn't she stunning...shes from Sara Burrier and is called Lady of the Stars...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and of course glittered her a bit...the beautifully soft blue papers are from DCWV Linen Closet 8x8 paper stack from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colour don't you...I finished my card with some stunning pleated ribbon, satin bow and a few sprinkled punched stars...the sketch I made up as I went along but I'm entering this for the Allsorts Challenge and Crafty Catz Weekly challenge (my B's are Blue, Bling, Bow)

right now some news of sneaky peeks of the lush new Ribonita and friends release from Sugar Nellie...the stamps go on sale on Funkykits on Friday 2nd and of course there's our two day blog hop to show them all off...the details are on the Sugar Nellie blog so hop on over there to find out all about it...I'm off to Town today with my gorgeous Daughter for coffee and shopping, I love those special Mother Daughter days...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
wings & stars - faded jeans
dress - evergreen bough (from the winter range)

Graphic45 DT Call...phew I made it...

Good morning everyone, I know I'm very early today but there's a reason for it...I have decided to go ahead and enter for the Graphic45 DT call...as you all know I so love their papers and have you seen the stamps to go with the papers too...so my favourite papers and something to colour, you just couldn't get better could you...I have to do this post with my choice of 6 projects...I picked 5 cards and made a pencil box, with pencils and a ruler (yes I made the ruler from paper too) I didn't make the apple though lol...I hope you like what I picked for my entry
and you never know do you!

My pencil case is an old jewellery gift box covered with the same papers as the pencils...ABC Primer collection/Jumping Joan...the ruler, tag, alphabet tiles and tiny pencil wrap are made using ABC Primer/School Days papers - I stained red gingham ribbon with Antique linen distress inks and used a stamped sentiment on the tag to finish

Once Upon A Time Collection - Spellbound
check paper is Flight of Fancy
postcard - Woodland Fantasy

Once Upon A Springtime - Woodland Fantasy

Steampunk Debutante collection - Mechanical Mind
Tag with dragonfly - Botanicabella Collection - Antiquity

Papers, ruler and tags - ABC Primer - School Days

One upon a Springtime - Spellbound

check paper - Flight of Fancy
Postcard - Woodland Fantasy
sentiment -cut from name strip

I so enjoyed making the pencil box and have a couple of projects in mind with some things I found while I was looking for this, so watch this space...let me know what you think of my choices as there was loads to choose from...enjoy your Sunday everyone
Mina xxx

two tutu's are better than one...

Good morning everyone are you up to anything exciting this weekend?...go on tell us all and make us jealous...well I finally broke my enforced solitude (oooohhhhh doesn't that sound dramatic this early on a Saturday morning) I needed washing powder so went shopping, had a little mooch and even treat myself to a Burger King, I came home made a cuppa got changed and went to put on the washing and........no washing powder, would you believe I forgot what I went out for...duh...so had to get dressed again and go out to buy some, I met a friend who works in the local shop and she said I could have sworn you were in here before'...I just laughed and moved on quickly, well we don't want everyone knowing I have a hole in the back of my head where my memory drains out do we, I know you lovely lot wont tell anyone lol...anyway onto my card for today, how gorgeously cute are these two sweeties...they are called Two Tutus and are of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, I coloured them and added a little bit of glitter (well they do have wings you know), isn't this paper just lush its one of the ones I found stashed when I did my cleanup, I cant believe I forgot about that fab pile of paper and there's still about a dozen sheets to use...this one is a double sided Fancy Pants paper from their Summer Soiree collection called Beach House, fantastic colours isn't it...I added some fab sheer ribbon and a bow, a few gorgeous coloured roses and a little tag from my stash to finish...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Digital Tuesday Challenge and Cute Card Thursday Challenge too...I ha vent a clue what my gorgeous Phil and I will be up to today but whatever it is I'm making a list just in case...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
tutu's and shoes - stormy sky, evergreen bough (from the Winter set)
hair - frayed burlap
flowers in hair - scattered straw

MAGNOLIA PRINCES & PRINCESSES PRE ORDER

Hi everyone its me again, I have just dropped in to tell you that Bunny Zoe's Crafts has the new Magnolia Princes & Princesses collection on pre order and they are so so gorgeous...hop on over and have a look
Mina xxx

blue and green should never be seen...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...well I'm still being a recluse and didn't go out yesterday I think I need to give myself a really good shake or one of you need to give me a slap or two lol...the good thing is I'm having fun colouring and playing while I'm reclusive, although I have done a bit of cleaning too, I even scrubbed out one of the bathrooms and bent down to put bleach in the loo and plop went my glasses, the air was blue and that wasn't cleaning products but my language lol...I suppose it could have been a lot worse and not been bleach they were covered in but we will gloss over that thought...see I knew cleaning wasn't good for you, I hate the smell of bleach and no matter how hard I scrubbed my glasses they still smell a bit of it...I really need some fresh air now don't I...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge...this week its our lovely Suzan's choice and she chose 'Use A Doily' now I know it doesn't look like I used one but I cut mine up and made the lace frill from it...the cute little Tilda is Sweet Christmas Holly Tilda I coloured her with distress inks and with the addition of a few pearls I think she works brilliant for anytime of the year don't you, I teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft Blea and Ivy 6.5x6.5 paper pad the Tilda and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I finished with the cut doily lace, loads of different size pearls and some Satin ribbon 15mm SAXE BLUE from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, the fab sketch is from the Sugar Creek Hollow challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and Fab 'n' Funky challenge...right I AM going out today so will report back lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
dress and ribbons - stormy sky
sock shadows - grey marvy pen

I love a bit of colour...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all keeping well and are happy...I had another crafting day yesterday but it was one of those days when you seem to do loads but nothing gets finished if you know what I mean...I played and coloured and cut but finished nothing I should have but had fun playing anyway...I really must go out today though, I had all intentions of yesterday but yes you guessed it the rain fell from the heavens lol...now I'm not allergic to rain or like the wicked witch melt in it or anything like that (honestly) I just hate mooching round town in it is all...when you in the mood for a mooch you certainly don't want a soggy mooch do you, have you noticed I seem to have turned into the weather police lol...I did finish this card and felt in the need of loads of colour and you cant say this paper isn't colourful can you...the papers are from the Basicgrey Sweet Threads 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...isn't it so bright, colourful and joyful...love it...I teamed it up with this stunning Zorana A Dancing Gypsy from Saturated Canary...I just about used every colour distress ink I could think off on my Gypsy and isn't she just beautiful...as the paper was so colourful I just added a lush pink satin ribbon and bow and a gorgeous twisted metal Fancy Heart Charm to finish...the lush sketch (I love the hearts behind the image) is from the Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Joanna Sheen Challenge and Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge too...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

has Spring arrived?...

Good morning everyone, is it just me or is it getting a little bit warmer?...oooohhhh I do hope so, I'm officially fed up with the cold miserable weather now aren't you...I was tidying up my computer yesterday and came across some holiday photos and that made me think of warm days and beautiful clear nights...I did my work yesterday, yes I managed to get past the eyelid/bum situation finally and had a fantastic day just crafting and drinking tea...mind my head was sore last night and my eyes were feeling a bit worse for wear too...but it was worth it, I really enjoyed myself...I also watched a few back episodes of Family Guy last night and chuckled away to myself, isn't it strange how daft we feel laughing out loud when we are all alone and its so quiet lol...right now onto my card for today which is for the digi teams new challenge at Crafts and Me challenges, its my choice of theme this time and I chose Shades of Spring so any spring like colours at all and don't forget you don't need to use a Crafts and Me image for the challenge either, I used one of the beautiful new digis from Crafts and Me called A Princess is Born, isn't it gorgeous...I coloured this beauty and her Princess with distress inks and used more of the stunning Prima 6x6 Madeline paper pad, I'm totally addicted to this pad and it seems to be lasting ages because there are so many papers in it, I added a lush soft pink ribbon and bow and some butterflies punched with my Martha Stewart punch, I also cut one of the butterflies from the paper too...I also added a stamped sentiment...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fairy Tale Challenge and Totally Papercrafts challenge too...If it stays nice today I may just take myself into Town for a little wander round, although maybe I shouldn't have said that as it will probably rain now lol...whatever your up to today have a dry one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair adult - walnut stain
princess - antique linen
dress adult - shabby shutters, tumbled glass
princess - victorian velvet, tumbled glass
cushions - antique linen, tumbled glass

the second one...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...well all my best efforts went out the window yesterday and I had one of those sofa days, you know the ones where my butt's attached to my eyelids...I just couldn't stay awake at all...so no crafting done, no DT work caught up on and no hitting the shops...but not to worry I will restart my motor this morning and get all the work done I need to do...well did you all have a guess at which one of the baby cards my beautiful Daughter and her other half chose then?....it was a split decision, she loved this one and her other half loved yesterdays...so they took them both lol...see she goes from not liking my cards to taking both the ones I made...I hope the new parents love them both...this one is using the amazingly beautiful Simply Adorables Bambino from Funkykits...I love love love colouring the Adorables, every single one of them

I coloured him with distress inks, distressed the edges and even finished the inside again, I don't think I will do that with every card though as it really adds time to card making...the stunning papers are from the Prima Printery 6x6 paper pad, this pad is so beautiful, soft and vintage and perfect for a timeless baby card don't you think...I finished it with some cream ribbon and a bow on the inside and outside and a stunning Oval Frame charm from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, if your wondering how to get the centre paper to fit in a the frame, put your paper face down on a soft surface and press the charm into the paper which leaves an impression which is easily cut to shape and stick inside the charm...the sketch I made up as I went along but I'm entering this into the Lollipop Crafts and Allsorts challenges...right I'm going to get myself up off my butt and get on with what I have to do today so watch this space lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hat - bundled sage, antique linen
shading on bed and distressing on edge - antique linen