shattered...

Good morning everyone are you all having a wonderful weekend?...I'm back, we got back late last night and I am totally shattered...we all had a fantastic night out, although I wasn't feeling too well so wasn't as able to dance and sing as much as I would have loved too, but everyone else made up for me lol...when we arrived at my little Sisters house she was so excited to see us and then when her Husband told her we were all going out she got even more excited...a bus arrived all decked out in 40th Birthday banners and we set of for the venue, it was a cabaret club with dinner, dancing, a show and one of the funniest drag acts I have ever seen...fantastic night and we didn't get to bed until after 2am then up at 7.30...so you can imagine how tired everyone was, we all just lazed about watching our amazing performance at the Olympics and sitting in the garden, the weather was beautiful, sunny and really warm...Phil arrived in the afternoon and we then all headed out later to dinner at a beautiful old house converted into a restaurant...so a super fantastic time but I so miss my Sisters when I'm not with them I wish I lived closer to them and we could see each other every day...right now onto my card for today which is using a beautiful Tilda from the Summer Memories collection, don't you think this Magnolia Summer Memories - Waterlily Tilda is the perfect image for summer...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Little Darlings pad, this one is out of stock atm but there's some new Graphic 45 paper pads I have my eye on for my next purchase...I finished with some coffee coloured ribbon and I stamped a sentiment on some of it too and added a Prima Flowers Charlotte - Snow flower...everything I used except the ribbon and pearls is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts... the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly challenge, Totally Tilda challenge and the Ribbon Girl August Challenge, I had a couple of other challenges in mind for it to but my poor tired brain wont work hard enough to remember them lol...its going to have to be a lazy Sunday today, maybe a little trip for food but that's about it as I need some serious rest and relaxation for the next week of packing I think...whatever your up to today have a fantastically sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - victorian velvet, shabby shutters
water - stormy sky
flowers - spun sugar, shabby shutters

sssssshhhhhhhh its a secret...

Good morning everyone...hands up who's been busting to know what I was up to yesterday? ...well its my little Sisters 40th Birthday on Monday and for the last few months her lovely Husband has been arranging for all the woman in the family (including my Sister and two of her grown Children from England and me and my beautiful Daughter) to all get together for a girlie night...so the plan is that we all arrive at her house in Belfast and get ready together (omg her poor bathroom lol) then out for a meal and to a club then all back for a sleepover...sort of a grown up PJ party except with wine lol...well that's the plan and because I'm not here I will let you know what we all got up to in tomorrows post as I will be back late tonight....oooooohhhhh isn't it a brill idea, I think we should make it a yearly thing don't you....right now enough girlie screaming and excitement from me onto my card for today which is using this amazing Mo's Digital Pencil image...I love love love this image its the look on their faces I think, only Mo can draw those expressions don't you think...these two are called Tia and Friend ...I coloured them with my usual distress inks and teamed them up with these amazing papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but I think its sold out atm...I love the colours in this pad they are so unusual but really work well together...I finished with a red knotted ribbon and a few buttons...I haven't a clue where the sketch is from as my sketches are getting all mixed up with the upheaval here but its a fab one anyway...I'm entering it for the Twisted Tuesday Challenge,Party Time Tuesday challenge and the Truly Madly Crafty Challenge too....right that me for today I'm hopefully having fun according to plan...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fantastic time
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
dog - black soot, tea dye, stormy sky, barn door, Victorian velvet
girl
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
dress -and headband - stormy sky, barn door
apron - pumice stone, barn door
shoes - barn door
socks - pumice stone
balloons - stormy sky, pumice stone, shabby shutters

Blog hop release day - Under the Sea

Good morning everyone have you all had a brilliant week?...what have you got planned for the weekend anything exciting, I have but I cant tell you about it until Saturday or Sunday so ssssshhhhhhhhhhh not a word...its release day finally at Funky Kits and the fabulous Under The Sea Stamps go on sale at 9am, have you made your list yet or cant you decide and are getting all of them...you should have arrived at my blog from the fabulous
PAT
if you haven't and you want to start at the beginning with a chance to win some goodies from Sugar Nellie then hop on over to Tiets blog to start at the beginning

don't forget your comments for a chance to win though you don't want to miss out...this is the amazing Waterlily, isn't she beautiful lounging on her rock surrounded by the stunning lilies...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and this time teamed her up with these beautiful papers from Graphic45, they are from the Baby to Bride collection, the striped is called Unforgettable, I made a circle easel card and added some cream seam binding, a beautiful organza flower and a sprinkling of pearls

your next stop on our hop today is over to the wonderful
JANE
who has another stunning make to show you...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments, oh and if you get lost the list of the hop is on our Sugar Nellie blog...I'm off on my secret mission now so will report back as soon as I can...whatever your up to today have a brilliant sunny one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
outfit and lilies - pine needles
rock - pumice stone, crushed olive
Lily pads - crushed olive, forest moss

GORGEOUS CANDY ALERT!!!

Yooohhhoooo everyone me again, I have just popped on to tell you about some lush Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy over at the Bunny Zoe's Crafts Blog...hop on over to join in

To celebrate the very adorable Saturated Canary designs by the talented Krista Smith going rubber Nikki is giving one lucky blog reader the chance to win 4 Saturated Canary stamps of their choice

PRIZE: 4 x Saturated Canary Rubber Stamps of your choice.

(Prize to be shipped mid-August once our *PRE-ORDER has arrived).

What do you need to do to enter?

Please grab the candy time banner and add to your blog post or side bar linking back to Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog to help spread the word about the candy. You don't need to be a follower of the BZ blog but it's a good idea so you don't miss out on future candies, challenges, news and inspiration from the fabulous BZ DT Team. Don't forget to leave your name and blog link below.

You have until Midnight, Sunday 5th August to enter. The winner will be announced on Monday 6th August.

Good Luck Everyone!
now hurry up and get over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts Blog to join in
Mina xxx

normal service is resumed - well as normal as it gets anyway...

Good morning everyone, how are you all it seems ages since we had a good natter...first off my Dad is doing fine, hes very tired but getting up at 6am and hanging around a hospital forever will do that to you, he gets his dressing off today and all being well he will have perfect vision...oh no he will be saying I have more wrinkles now lol...ok own up which one of you was it that suggested we move house lol...I'm exhausted and am falling asleep before I even get a chance to get online so no blog hopping for me, I have most of the bedrooms sorted, packed and ready to go and we did the attic and cupboard at the weekend, poor Phil thinks I'm going next door for bags to take to the dump lol...did you all enjoy the first three days of the hop then, fab stamps aren't they and lovely to colour too don't forget there's one more day on Friday and one more chance to win goodies too...right now onto my card for today...isn't this amazing image from Sara Burrier just beautiful...all that hair is fabulous to colour...this is Poppy Princess and she will be available at Crafts & Me soon...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I finished with a black satin edged organza ribbon, a Cherish sentiment tag and some of the butterflies cut from the paper...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Sassy Cheryl's Digi challenge and the Creative Inspirations challenge...I'm off out to Town today I need to get a few things and need a day away from packing I think before I go a bit stir crazy, don't forget I will be back at 9am tomorrow for the last day of the Sugar Nellie hop...whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen,
dress - scattered straw, crushed olive, pumice stone
butterflies and heart - stormy sky

are you still hopping along - Day Three Under The Sea

Good morning everyone welcome to Day three of our Under The Sea hop...are you enjoying the sneak peeks?...I'm fed up with the sight of black bin bags and poor Phil is even more fed up with his many journeys to the skip, I'm trying to be ruthless and throw away anything I haven't used in a year but its so hard isn't it...I'm sure I met myself coming up the hall twice yesterday and if I don't stop running round in circles I'm going to disappear lol...anyway back to the hop you should have arrived here from the fabulous
PAT
but if you didn't and want a chance to win some prizes then hop on over to the wonderful Jane's blog to start at the beginning

...this is the stunningly beautiful (my personal favourite) AquaMarina...isn't she fabulous?...I coloured her with my usual Distress inks and glittered her outfit, I kept the design really simple this time using a Kraft card blank and some stunning Kars paper (sorry I don't know the name of it there's nothing written on it), I cut a circle for her to sit in...I finished with some white card punched with a lace punch, a scattering of fabulous clear gems and a ruffled bow...

I'm the last stop on the hop but don't forget to leave a comment on all the stops including the Sugar Nellie Blog...you don't have long to wait as the stamps go on sale at 10am on the 3rd August at Funkykits...I will be back as usual tomorrow morning at 7am and the next blog hop day is Friday...I'm sitting in today as its my Dads operation and my stomach is churning for him and I wont be able to settle until I hear from him, oh well its a good excuse to do yet more clearing and packing will it never end I ask myself lol, whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and enjoy the rest of the hop
Im entering my card for the Creative Card crew challenge, Fussy & Fancy Friday challenge and the Dynamic Duos challenge too
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
outfit - pumice stone, antique linen, frayed burlap

hop hop hop under the sea - day 2

Good morning everyone, did you all enjoy the hop yesterday amazing makes from our fabulous team werent they...so many different styles and each so beautiful...if you all started at the
Sugar Nellie Blog
this morning then you will have realised Im the first stop on todays hop around and get to introduce the beautiful Oceans Gift...isnt she stunning, I love her hair and how shes perched on her rock admiring her pearl and that little seahorse is sssssooooooo cute isnt it

I coloured her with distress inks and couldnt resist using this incredible Graphic45 paper with her...it just sort of goes with her dosent it...its from the On The Boardwalk Collection and is called On the Boardwalk (well that makes sense dosent it lol)...I finished my card with some buttons and a huge rust coloured glittery ribbon bow...the sketch is another from the Mojo Monday archive...your next stop on the hop is the fabulous
JANE
who has another amazing make to show you again...I know you have only seen two so far but which is your favourite so far?...go on tell me Im dying to know and theres only another three days for the release at Funky Kits of course

dont forget to leave a comment on all your stops for a chance to win some goodies...Im still up to my eyes in boxes and black bags at the min so thats what Im up to today...whatever your doing have fun and enjoy the hop...I will speak to you all tomorrow at 9am again for day 3
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - tea dye, antique linen
outfit - crushed olive, stormy sky,
beads and pearl - barn door
rock - pumice stone, crushed olive

Under the Sea - mini blog hop Day 1

Good morning everyone I hope you all had an amazing weekend...we are up to the eyes in packing boxes for our house move but we managed to get quite a lot done this weekend...welcome to Day 1 of the brand new release from Sugar Nellie...you should have arrived at me from the amazing
PAT
if you didn't and you would like to join in the hop...pop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog for all the details, don't forget just for commenting on our blogs there are prizes to be won...

for Day 1 our stamp is called Under The Sea (I bet your singing in your head now lol)...isn't she so cute with her little turtle...I coloured her with distress inks and use this stunning Basicgrey paper from the Granola collection, its called Sunflower and I thought the colours were perfect for her...I finished my card with some shapes cut from the paper and a huge navy satin bow...the next stop on the hop is the fabulous
JANE
who is bound to have something beautiful to show you...all the sketches I'm using for the mini hops this week are from the Mojo Monday archive, I love their sketches and if I ever get stuck for one I dip into their file for inspiration

don't worry if your fingers are itching to get the beauties we show you this week they will be available at Funky Kits on Friday 3rd August so not too far away...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments for a chance to win...I will speak to you again at 9am tomorrow, whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
tail and top - stormy sky
beads - frayed burlap
turtle - scattered straw, frayed burlap, pumice stone

A NEW SNEAK PEEK WEEK...

Me again, I know three times in one day shocking isnt it...I just wanted to let you know we have a special sneak peek week for the brand new releases at Sugar Nellie...so pop back tomorrow at 9am for a chance to win prizes...all the details will be on the Sugar Nellie blog if you would like to start there
Mina xxx

BUNNY ZOE'S CANDY WINNER...

Hi everyone are you all having a wonderful quiet Sunday...I have just popped on to tell you that the winner of this months Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy is....drum roll please................................

No 12

and that is CHRISSY...huge congratulations Chrissy could you please email me your address and I will pass all your details onto the wonderful Nikki so we can rush your candy to you...don't worry if you didn't win there's another Bunny Zoe's candy next month and I will be having candy very soon too...enjoy the rest of your Sunday...I will speak to you all tomorrow at 9am for a special week....but ssssshhhhh will tell you more at midnight
Mina xxx

a boy and his dog...

Good morning everyone are you all having a brilliant weekend?...the heavens opened here yesterday morning and it hardly stopped all day...so its hi from a very soggy us, its chilly too, like November not July...while I was out yesterday and was eavesdropping on people moaning an talking about the weather and was wondering what is this obsession we British have with the weather...its either too hot, too wet, too cold...wouldn't it be lovely to overhear someone saying 'oh today is just right' lol...although we would probably all faint...my love Dad took me shopping yesterday but I couldn't find the birthday present for my Nephew so I did what any reasonable person does, rang his Mum and got her to get it, she knew exactly where to go and they are coming here tomorrow for a little celebration tea for him, I'm so looking forward to that...well the boxes are made up and we are starting with the attic and airing cupboard today and we might even get to the wardrobes depending how fast we are, we are determined to be ruthless and sort at least half of what we have to give to charity or the onto the skip...well that's the plan anyway lol...right now onto my card for today, how sweet is this little cutie from Whimsy stamps...hes called Whimsy Little Jack and Bobbin Gone Fishin' I coloured it with distress inks and used more of the stunningly lush coloured papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux pad , the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts I finished with a sentiment cut from the same pad, a lush rusty orange glitzy ribbon bow and a lot of buttons...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Creations Challenge and Delightful Challenge...right I'm off to put my work gear on (do we all have a set of these, mine are paint and plaster spattered crop trousers and my Leonardo Da Vince sweatshirt)...whatever your up to today I hope yours is going to be a bit more restful than ours
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
wagon and contents - scattered straw, frayed burlap, stormy sky, barn door, spiced marmalade
grass - shabby shutters
flowers - spiced marmalade
outfit and pole - stormy sky, pumice stone, barn door

should she be green?...

Good morning everyone did you all stay up to watch the Olympic ceremony last night then?...I was a bit gutted at our team GB outfits, the Italians arrived in Armani and we arrived looking like extras from Little Britain lol...whats wrong with our gorgeous red, white and blue, who on earth decided we should change from our flag colours to cream and gold foil...yuck, not even David Beckham could make that look good (not that he had the chance though)...my lovely Dads garden is finished and hes so relieved, my Dad is badly disabled and walks with two crutches but hes one of those people who stresses that he cant help, do you know what I mean and he ends up making himself sore and ill from straining to not help bless him...so hes aching from head to foot...ooohhhhh I'm so excited for him next Wednesday is his final cataract operation, I bet it will open the whole world up to him, now if I could just get him to go get his hearing down he would have his 80 year MOT sorted I think lol...anyway onto my card for today which is using this stunningly beautiful Green Lady from A Day for Daisies, isn't she amazing and she wonderful to colour...I know I probably should have coloured her green but couldn't resist this colour combo for her, it suits her don't you think...the papers are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Everyday Moments I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...love those colours...I finished with an organza ribbon bow and two flowers cut from the papers...the papers are so beautiful I didn't think I needed anymore, do you?...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop but I'm a bit late and missed the dealing, oops...I'm entering it for The Stamp Man challenge though...Phil's away at the racing today so I'm heading out to buy a Birthday present for my Nephew, the thing my Sister said he wanted I haven't a clue what they are but have direction on how to get them...am I getting old or just out of touch with kids present, I hope its the latter...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar
hair - black soot
kimono and hair ornaments - tumbled glass, scattered straw

a tramp and overgrown bushes...

Good morning everyone I hope your all enjoying a little bit of sunshine, the sun has been shining here for a nice change, long may it continue too...I was supposed to go to the supermarket but had to go without my motivational talk from my Dad and an afternoon of crafting instead (yes I know I should be packing lol), hes having a bit of work done on his garden and the gardeners were supposed to come today but they came yesterday instead, oh well better early than not at all, the poor guys had to use their truck to pull out my Dads bushes as they have been there for over twenty years, hes having them all taken out and decorative stones put in instead, much easier for him to enjoy I think as he was sick of his view being obscured by huge bushes, we tried a few times to get them out but they wouldn't budge so we left it to the professionals...we will have to head out today instead of yesterday unless the gardeners decide on another day today too...they are good guys and when they start they need to finish...so we cant complain can we...right now my card for today...don't you just love this The Tramp from Mo's Digital Pencil, he is brilliant in monochrome isn't he...I coloured him with my Distress inks and teamed him up with these amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...perfect combo together aren't they...I finished with some black ribbon and a knot and a fab violin charm...the lush sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Charisma Cardz challenge too...now its either the supermarket or clearing out under the beds today so fingers crossed for the supermarket lol...whatever your up to I hope you have fun
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - black soot
clothes - black soot, pumice stone, tea dye
shoes - black soot

watch out for headless chickens...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I decided enough is enough and its time to bite the bullet and start the clearing and packing (amazing how much rubbish you gather over 6 years isn't it), so bin bags, cleaning stuff and long duster in case of spiders in hand, I stood at the bottom of the stairs and the feeling of panic rose from my stomach to my chest...omg headless chicken act or what, I haven't a clue where or even how to start...any ideas?...my thinking was start at the top of the house (the attic) and work our way down but I cant figure out if that's a good idea or I'm just putting it off again as the attic is Phil's domain lol...so keep an eye out today for me running around doing my headless chicken act, if you see me catch me give me a good hard shake and say 'get on with it girl'...I'm so so pleased you all liked my first mood board, I'm loving that red and grey together even more every time I look at it...I only have another 8 or so rooms and a garden and decking to sort in my head now lol...right now onto my card for today...how gorgeous is this cute sweetie from Saturated Canary, shes called Krafty Kate and I bought her a while back but she got hidden in my huge digi files...I hate it when that happens don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with more of these luscious papers from the Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments 6x6 Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts ...I used a tag sentiment cut from the same pad and finished with some vintage seam binding and a yellow rose...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Ohh La La Creations challenge and My Mums Craft Shop challenge...I'm off out to the supermarket today with my lovely Dad, I will take him for coffee and get him to give me a talking too about starting the packing, he will sort me out lol...whatever your up to today don't forget to watch out for headless chickens lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - antique linen, spun sugar, Victorian velvet, frayed burlap
bunting - antique linen, spun sugar, Victorian velvet, frayed burlap

first of many I think....

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a great week...wow the weather here yesterday was brilliant and last night there was the most intense sky I have ever seen, it actually looked like it was on fire, of course after spending about 15 minuets watching it in awe, Phil says did you take a photo...oops I was enjoying it to much and totally forgot, if its the same tonight I will get one to show you all...I have put my first ever mood board below, I know its kinda pointless because I cant show you the kitchen yet but you will get a gist of what I'm heading for I think...be kind its my first one ever lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge, the theme this time is Anything Goes so why not have a go and don't forget you don't have to use a Crafts and Me image for the challenge either...I used this beautiful Sara Burrier image called Larkspur, I don't think shes in the shop just yet but should be in the next few days...shes stunning to colour and I coloured her with a darker skin tone than normal...I still don't think I have the knack of colouring darker skin tones yet but I will work on it...I used my normal distress inks for her and teamed her up with some of my favourite Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Vintage Marketplace I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love love love these papers...I finished my card with some lush cream and pink gingham ribbon and bow and a couple of punched butterflies...the fab sketch is from the Willow Sketchie Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Craft Challenge and the Stamp Man challenge too

well whats you thought on my mood board, I love vintage white furniture and ladder back chairs...and I know the shoes are a bit random but I love that pattern on them...I saw some Kath Kidston cushions in the garden centre we went to on Sunday and that's what gave me the idea of the red and grey scheme...another crafting day today and then I have all the boxes made up that Phil brought home from work so I guess I need to pack some of them so at least I feel like I have done something this week lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a bright sunny one and when you have time dont forget to pop on over to the Crafts and Me challenge to see what the rest of our fab team came up with
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, vintage photo, tatered rose
hair - frayed burlap
clothes - spun sugar, tumbled glass, shabby shutters
flowers - tumbled glass