butterflies and snow...

Good morning everyone...omg how cold is it, you wouldn't believe that this time last week I was putting sun cream on before we went out...its freaky isn't it how vastly different it is we even had snow flurries yesterday although our weather isn't as bad as poor Scotland and its snow...well our breakfast together turned into lunch, it was my beautiful Daughters day off yesterday and I knew when she asked me for breakfast it would be lunch and sure enough at 11am I got the text...slept in be there as soon as I can lol...it was still lush though and she still cooked so still a huge massive treat, well lets face it girls someone cooking for you no matter what time of day is fab isn't it...she is so like her Dad though and gets real stroppy when things don't go right for her while shes cooking, she had several arguments with some poached eggs and I had to walk out the kitchen so she didn't see me giggling lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge...the supertalented Carol is our host this time and she chose the theme of Bows and Butterflies, I used one of the new digi images from Crafts and Me, this stunning image is by Sara Burrier and is called Be Mine, isn't it perfect for a wedding card don't you think...I coloured it with distress inks and used some stunning Prima Paper for it, this is from the Madeline collection and is a 12x12 sheet called Parsley Place...I added a double blue organza bow and punched butterflies and finished with a Kaisercraft sentiment...the fabulous sketch (which I turned sideways) is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Anything Goes challenge and Truly Scrumptious challenge too...there's something very important in our lives going on today which I cant tell you about yet but we need loads of positive vibes from all you lovely people, I know they work because they have before...so could I ask you to please send them by the bucket load and I will tell you all about it as soon as I can...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget your thermal knickers lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - girl- frayed burlap boy-antique linen
girls outfit - tumbled glass, antique linen
boys outfit - peeled paint, shabby shutters, antique linen

not just for Christmas...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and the weather hasn't been too unkind to you...I had a great crafting day yesterday, one of those days when the only time I stopped was when my stomach starting having a conversation with me...I found loads of papers I had printed off months ago and put into a file 'for safe keeping', why do we do that and then totally forget about them...I also found a bag of buttons I thought I had lost when I bought them, I dropped a pen and it rolled under my sofa, so armed with my trusty extra long ruler (well a girl has to use an ruler for fishing under sofas just in case of creepy crawlies doesn't she) and fished out the pen and a bag of buttons, now that's what I call a result don't you...I used a colour combo I hardly ever use today, green and red...see its not just for Christmas is it...the stunning image is from Sugar Nellie's Simply Adorable digi collection...this is the stunning Winifred...I coloured her with distress inks and the stunning papers are from the hidden file of digi papers and is from Nitwit Collections and are from the Gingerfellas Too paper collection, I love gingham's and checks don't you...I used my Tomic punch again, loving this punch and finished with some white seam binding bows, some of the buttons from the hidden bag and a Prima flower...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Really Reasonable Ribbon challenge...I'm off out for my breakfast this morning, my lovely Daughter invited me to her house for a cooked breakfast and why on earth would I refuse that then, any excuse for bacon and eggs and cooked for me too, bliss...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
cardigan - grey marvy pen
dress and eyes - peeled paint
red - red whispers pen

asbestos fingers...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend...I hope it was a bit warmer where you are than it was here...have you seen the forecast for snow????...well I did my handbag duty yesterday, the older my Daughter gets the more I enjoy shopping with her although she does try to force me to try on clothes I wouldn't normally even look at...for goodness sake I'm a woman of a certain age but I drew the line at skinny jeans I dont think that would be a good look for me you would see every lump and bump and there is many lol...she was going out to dinner with her new work colleagues so wanted her hair curled...have you ever used GHD's, my hair is always super short so I have never needed them but she has long hair, the front and sides she could do herself but wanted me to do the back, omg they are as hot as the surface of the sun and I don't know if my fingers are just super sensitive or what but they were red raw when I had finished, my Daughters feelings ' don't be such a wuss Mum, suck it up' lol, that girl is ssssooooo my Daughter lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge, this month the challenge is to use Dies or punches somewhere on your card, I used this amazing new rubber stamp from Crafts and Me for my card, isn't this Believe Unmounted Rubber Stamp from Zindy S.D. Nielsen just stunning, its a beautifully clear crisp stamp and stunning to colour although I'm not 100% how the hair turned out so you will see her again with dark hair I think she needs used again don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her dress with some of the amazing Tropical Travelogue collection papers, this one is called Tiki Voyager, I bought loads of this collection on Saturday so you will be seeing more of them I promise...I used some 16mm Berisford Grosgrain WHITE Ribbon from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop and my new Tomic doily punch for the border and finished with some Martha Stewart large punched butterflies to finish...the fab sketch is from the Crazy 4 Challenge challenge and I'm also entering it for the My Mums craft shop challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge...I'm having a craft catch up day today which means locked in my craft room and only coming out for food kinda day...I hope whatever your up to you stay warm and cosy and when you have the time pop on over to the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge to see the rest of our amazing teams lush work
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
nails and lips - victorian velvet
hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

up up and away...

Good morning everyone...wow can you believe its April already...we seem to have had our good weather though and the cold is back, not just as cold but about 12 degrees lower than last week...is your weather the same...oh by the way are any of you have problems leaving comments, when I go onto some blog I'm getting an error message saying its not available, I can get on after reloading two or three time but its taking ages...oh no is Mr Blogger having a hissy fit again...ooohhhh sssssshhhhhhh maybe I should have said that...if your having problems too let me know so I dont think Im being picked on lol...we had a nice day yesterday, lunch with Dad then a little visit to my local craft shop 'just for some card for blanks' say I, Phil gave me that 'yeah right' look and £30 later he was ssssoooo right lol...well a girl cant resist new gingham ribbon and some new graphic45 papers too can she, oh and a replacement for my Martha Stewart doily punch that snapped ages ago, I replaced it with a Tomic punch, same design but much much cheaper...oh and of course we had to have a little coo over the owners 9 week old baby boy, he is so so gorgeous, Phil asked if I could take him home, yes but he would be straight back when he wakes at 4am crying though lol...right now onto my card for today, I love love love this MayzyArt image, isnt she fantastic and a dream to colour those balloons (see I told you I bought another one and you would be seeing it)...shes called Bibi Balloons, I coloured her with distress inks and used some of these amazingly bright gorgeous papers from the My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody 6x6 Pad from Bunny Zoes Crafts, I finished with some lush Sheer Ruffle Edge - White from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop....I finished with a bow and fab Prima Flowers Perie Bebe - Meadowlark flower...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge and Im also entering it for the Stampin' for the Weekend challenge and Ditzy Craftymess challenge too...I'm off out shopping with our Daughter today which means I will be on handbag holding duty while she tries things on...whatever your up to I hope the weather is sunny for you and you have a fantastic day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen, frayed burlap
dress - tattered rose, scattered straw, shabby shutters, tumbled glass
ribbons - shabby shutter, tumbled glass
balloons - tumbled glass, tattered rose, shabby shutters, scattered straw
shoes - shabby shutters, tumbled glass

Im baaaccccckkk....again...the fastest card I have made

Good morning...again...I hope your all well and you had a fantastic week in our unexpected sun...the weather at the farmhouse was fantastic, it was like being on holiday and my Dad loved it, it was the first time he had been down to the farmhouse and I don't think he wanted to leave he loved it so much, we were out and about every day and went for a fantastic meal on Wednesday for our anniversary, I had the best roast beef I have tasted in my whole life, it was so good I even dreamed about it that night lol...when we came home from being out on Thursday the local farmer was cleaning out his cow shed and spreading it on the fields (surprisingly unsmelly actually) and my Dad and Phil just sat and watched him for hours????...is that a man thing do you think, I went inside for a shower and my Dad says where you going, I answered 'well there's just so much sh*t shovelling a girl can watch in one go'...so true isn't it lol...I made the fastest card today and I'm really not happy with it at all but it will have to do until I get a good crafting session done this afternoon and the thing with coming home after being away is all the shopping etc you have to do isn't it...groan...anyway I used this cutie Magnolia Tilda stamp, she is one of my favourites and so so sweet with those flowers behind her back, I think shes called something like Secret Tilda but don't quote me as Im not sure...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunningly soft papers from the Kaisercraft Pink Gelato 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, its so soft and gorgeous, I added a cut up doily for lace and a soft lilac ribbon, the tag and flower are from the same pad too...I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Fairy Tale challenge too...right I'm off to get ready to go to the supermarket....oh joy of joys lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

Im bbbaaaaccckkkkkkk....

Good morning everyone Im back safe and sound and we had a brilliant time but I will tell you about it later as we got back much later than we thought so I wont have a card to show you until a little later than usual...so will speak to you all then...oh and thank you all so much for your lovely comments while I was away, I will catch up with you all tonight when I hop around to all your fabulous blogs
Mina xxx

ducks and elephants...

Good morning everyone its the virtual me again but I will be home tomorrow so last virtual day...I forgot to tell you I managed to get an appointment at a hairdressers on Monday before we went away, my usual one like every other hairdresser but the one I went to are closed on Mondays but I'm so glad I went there, the cut was excellent and I was in over an hour because we were all having a huge giggle fest and it was a huge £15 cheaper...anyway I went to buy hairspray and was having a look through them and it reminded me of the first time we went to Yugoslavia (when it was still Yugoslavia) it was back in the days when the local shops had nothing english in them (which is why we loved it so much),I had forgotten to pack hairspray so off we troop to the local shop, not a soul spoke english, so common sense prevailed and I went to the section that had the shampoo in and bought a spray with a woman with long flowing hair on the front, well it made sense to me, there was something stopped me using it though maybe it was the smell and I decided to go to hotel reception just in case to get someone to translate it for me and the girl there set off giggling then panicked and asked you didn't use this on your hair did you...it only turned out to be oven cleaner would you believe...I think she would have noticed if I had used that already lol, the people who cleaned their ovens there must have been very glamorous if they all looked like the woman on the front of the can...ok now here my Christmas cracker joke for today...
Why do ducks have webbed feet?
To stamp out fires.
Why do elephants have flat feet?
To stamp out burning ducks.
lol love it...daft isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning little beauty from Wee stamps she is called Wee Florist, of course I couldn't just buy her could I...oops a few more jumped into my basket, funny how that happens isn't it...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush Prima Madeline paper pad, Bunny Zoe's Crafts doesn't has the 6x6 paper pad in stock but there is an A4 pad on sale...all I needed to finish is a Kaisercraft sentiment and a lush rich blue bow...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday, I love their sketches don't you...right that's me for today speak to you all in real life tomorrow and whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
trousers shading - pumice stone
roses - antique linen, shabby shutters, peeled paint
shirt - tumbled glass

every girl has a good sulk now and again...

Good morning everyone I hope you are all well and happy...I bet some of you haven't even noticed I'm not here lol...fancy another little joke then...not a belly laugh one but a chuckle maybe, the sort of jokes you get in a Christmas cracker and kinda apt for my anniversary lol
A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows his head in prayer. His friend says: “Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.” The man then replies: “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.”
an oldie but a goody lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Colour Create challenge, this week its our lovely Julies choice and she chose Deep Purple, Bright Green and cream lush combo isn't it and the extra option is Bows, now a girl doesn't need to be asked twice to use bows now does she, well I don't lol...I used this amazing new image from Mo's Digital Pencil called Patty, I love that face it makes me smile every time I look at it...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her dress with these lush papers from Kaisercraft, I cant remember which pad its from though as the sheets were loose in a box I put loose pad sheets into...now when Julie asked for a bow I couldn't resist but use the biggest bow I could make could I...I used some organza wired ribbon for it and of course theirs bows on the gorgeous Patty too...I cant wait to see what you come up with from this lush colour combo...the sketch I made up as I went along...right that's me for today so will speak to you all tomorrow...if you have time don't forget to pop on over to the Colour Create challenge to see what the rest of our amazing team came up with...have a brilliant day everyone
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - gathered twigs from the Autumn set
dress shading - antique linen
bows and pants - crushed olive
shoes - black soot

springs arrived with a little bit of blossom...

Good morning everyone, well I'm still not here but here if you know what I mean...don't you just love technology, I cant imagine life without my laptop now isn't that weird how much you get used to technology...right now because I'm not here I'm going to leave you a joke everyday instead...so here we go...
Becky prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her haste, however, she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce, and it sat on the counter all day. She was worried about spoilage, but it was too late to cook up another batch.
She called the local Poison Control Center and voiced her concern. They advised Becky to boil the sauce again.
That night, the phone rang during dinner, and one of the guests volunteered to answer it. Becky’s face dropped as the guest called out, “It’s the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out.”
lol good one isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is using this beautiful new stamp from Whimsy stamps, its by Elizabeth Bell and called Whimsy Apple Blossom, isn't she stunning, I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her dress with some of the spotty paper I used, these stunning papers are from K & Company Sweet Nectar 6" x 6" Paper Pad scrummy aren't they, such gorgeous bright colours, I cut one of the sheets out because I loved the shape and that's what made the card shape, I finished with some more of the Prima Flowers Perie Bebe - Meadowlark pack flowers and I finished with a rich coloured Satin ribbon 15mm RED from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, fabulous colour isn't it...the paper, stamp and flowers are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the great sketch is from the Sketches by Carly challenge...I will be back tomorrow with another card and a joke too maybe...have a brilliant day everyone
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
leggings - spun sugar, tumbled glass
dress shading - punice stone
apples - shabby shutters, barn door
basket - frayed burlap

bee my best friend...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...we will probably be on our way now as we wanted to get an early start and stop for breakfast...I love travelling by car don't you, it means you can take what you want with you, no luggage restriction, although I think Phil would disagree with that lol...and it means if you fall asleep and drool there's no one there to giggle at you, well there is but they have seen it before lol...my card for today is using this super cutie from Sugar Nellie, isn't he just adorable look at his cute little bee friend, hes called Aviator and is available at Funkykits, I coloured him with distress inks and used this very old paper I found in my stash, its from We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue collection and is called Simply Wonderful...I added some lush orange two tone ribbon ( a gift from a good friend thanks J) and loads of big buttons...I love the colours in this paper and think its just perfect for this little fella don't you...the lush sketch is from the Pixie Cottage challenge...wish me luck that there isn't too much drooling involved in my travels and whatever your up to today have a brilliantly sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
hedgie - antique linen, frayed burlap, walnit stain
plane - spiced marmalade, stormy sky, barn door
scarf - shabby shutters
goggles - pine needles, stormy sky
bee - scattered straw, stormy sky

all you need is a touch of pink...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend? ours was kinda quiet but the weather here was glorious yesterday the sun split the heavens and it was 22degrees, went and picked up Dads glasses on Saturday while Phil was away marshaling the motor bikes to make sure they are all safe, then yesterday we had a little mooch in town it was lovely walking around in the sunshine, but it kinda spoilt it when we called into Sainsbury's for prawn crackers for the chinese we were making for dinner and I saw a lovely little dog locked up in a car, the poor little thing was panting so hard, we went inside to see if anyone could help but no one seemed interested and luckily when we went back to the car minuets later it was gone...how stupid is that to leave a dog in a car in that heat...today will be a running around getting everything together for this week kinda day, its fine when there's just me and Phil going to the farmhouse but with Dad we need to get extras, like making sure he has all his medication and getting his stuff ready too...shopping is fine because although we usually just drive right through I don't think my poor Dads walnut sized bladder will make it for over 2 hours without at least two stops and there are a few nice places to stop on the way down, including a whole antique village to mooch around so we will stop for food shopping on our way down...I have scheduled all my posts so there will still be something every day while I'm away, as a Friend once told me 'I'm like Disney only shut for Christmas' lol...cheeky...anyway onto my card for today which is using this beautiful Sara Burrier image from Crafts and Me, shes called June, isn't she beautiful but then all Sara Burrier fairies are so stunning and a dream to colour, this one is coloured with distress inks and of course she has wings so you know the rules, wings = glitter...I teamed her up with these amazingly gorgeous papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Almanac, love this pad so much...I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some beautiful black and pink satin ribbons and the sentiments are cut from the same paper pad...the lush sketch is from a new challenge blog for me Crafting For All Seasons Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Hotshots Craft challenge and Stampin with the Dragon challenge too...right I'm off to pack some flat shoes, I don't normally do flat shoes and like my high heeled boots but needs must in the countryside...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - walnut stain
dress - tattered rose

WE HAVE A WINNER...

Hi everyone I bet you thought I had forgot....no we have a winner for this months Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy winner and the lucky winner of her choice of two Stampavie stamps is
lets have a drum roll please

no 59 who is
CHERYL
huge congratulations Cheryl, please email me your details and I will pass them on to Nikki for you (if you email me after tomorrow there will be a delay as Im away for a few days)
dont worry if you didnt win this time as I will be having a candy really soon and there will be another Bunny Zoe's candy next month...I hope you all had a brilliantly sunny day it was fantastic weather here
Mina xxx

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

all together now...aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh...

Good morning everyone I bet you all did it...that's what I did when I saw this little cutie...isn't this dragon just gorgeous, so so cute look at that face...I had my crafting day yesterday and yes I managed to stay awake too although it was hard to stay in as the sun was shining and it looked lovely outside, well I had to as I'm going down to the farmhouse next week to spend some time with Phil as its our anniversary on Wednesday, phew 36 years would you believe, how amazing is that and it has just flown by too...don't know what we will be up to but maybe just enjoy some time together, it wont be romantic though as my Dad is coming with us for a break too...he will enjoy it I think as he grew up as a country boy and even worked on farms when he was younger, I think he needs the break anyway

right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this weeks choice is Anne and she chose the theme of More Than One Fold...this fantastic little dragon is of course a Magnolia from their new Prince and Princesses collection the dragon is called Lilyrose the Dragon, I coloured her with distress inks and used some of the same collection papers for her too, this dragon magnolia paper is the Magnolia Magic Dragon 12" x 12" Paper but with the addition of some pink gingham it works brilliantly for this girl dragon card doesn't it...I finished with some 15mm Berisford Small Check Gingham HUNTERS GREEN from The Pretty Little Ribbon shop and some beautiful Prima flowers these are from the Prima Flowers Perie Bebe - Meadowlark pack, the flowers, paper and stamp are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I didn't use a sketch this time but I'm entering this for the Cute Card Thursday challenge, Dutch Dare challenge and Paper Crafting Journey challenge...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today but I still have a few things to finish for next weeks posts so might just knuckle down and get them done but you never know the sunshine calling might be too great for me...whatever your up to today have a brilliant sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
dragon is a blending of - spun sugar, milled lavender, Victorian velvet, tumbled glass, crushed olive
shading - pumice stone