summer, winter...now time for a touch of spring...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week...I forgot to tell you yesterday I was sitting on my sofa in my craftroom the other day with my ipod and really getting into the Prodigy (yes I know I have weird taste in music, my ipod has Dean Martin, Adelle, The Prodigy, Ricky martin, Lady Gag, Black Eyed Peas, Alex Claire and loads of other so you can see I like a good mix lol)...anyway Phil opened the door and popped his head around the door giggling away to himself...apparently I had really been getting into the Prodigy and had been singing at the top of my voice, which is not good if you heard my voice...Phil said he had come up to see what I was screaming at and had realised I was (trying) to sing...cheek eh lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new Challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge, this week its our lovely Alyces choice and she chose roses...I used this stunning Hannah Lynn digi for mine shes called Daffodil Springs, isn't she beautiful, I coloured her with distress inks and used the stunning My Mind's Eye The sweetest thing/Bluebell papers from Bunny Zoe's Crafts with her, the colours are just perfect for her aren't they...I finished with a fab yellow gingham bow and a few Prima Roses...the sketch is another from Mojo Monday...that's me for today, I'm hopefully lying in the sun today which is what I intend to do for the next week at least, shattered...whatever your up to today when you have time dont forget to pop on over to the Crafts and Me challenge to see what the rest of the girls made for the challenge, so much talent...have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
outfit - stormy sky, tumbled glass
daffodils - scattered straw, shabby stutters

from one extreme to the other...

Good morning everyone how are you all doing, I'm here but not here if you know what I mean, we left in the very very early hours of this morning, I mean so early it was nearly yesterday lol...who on earth thinks up the ideas of flight at that time of morning...I'm sure I was running around like a headless chicken because we were nowhere near ready to go...I have a post every day as normal but of course not entering any challenges or anything...for my card for today I have gone from a summer image yesterday to the other extreme...this is one of the new Christmas digis from Funky Kits, I'm loving these aren't you...they are fabulous to colour too...this little cutie is called A Gift For You and I coloured him with my usual distress inks...the fabulously yummy papers are from an old kit from My Minds Eye I think...that's what happens when you try to use up some half sheets, some don't have the info strip on them...I finished with some lush ribbons and a stamped sentiment from the Warm Winter Wishes sentiment set from Crafty Inspirations that are being stocked by Funky Kits now...perfect for all your Christmas wishes...right that's me for today, wish us luck that we fall asleep on the right flight and don't get taken to somewhere like Alaska instead of Majorca 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
trousers - pumice stone
sweater and hat - iced spruce
shoes - iced spruce, frayed burlap
gift - pumice stone, iced spruce, frayed burlap
tree - evergreen bough, fired earth

WE HAVE A WINNER...

Hi everyone, its just a few hours until we leave and I almost forgot about my candy winner...the one with the dies...so without furthur delay

The winner is .....drum role........

MAGS

huge congratulations Mags, I wont be able to post your prize until after I get back but could you please email me your address so I can get it off the day I come back
Mina xxx

splish splash...dont get water in your cocktail...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fabulously wonderful weekend...my sister and her family, Dad and our beautiful Daughter and her other half were all down for dinner on Saturday night, I made pies then we had chip shop chips with them for dinner and there was loads of laughter, eating, giggling and chat...everyone said how much they loved the warm welcoming feel of our house and how much at home they felt, so we must be doing something right mustn't we lol...the best day was yesterday though all the girls (including my fantastic 4 year old Niece who is definitely a diva in the making) had a girlie shopping trip to town to see if we could get our outfits for the wedding in October...and...we did, my Daughter bought a skin tight knee length 50's style dress, its stunning and of course it help having a size 8 figure she is going to wear it with leather gloves, clutch bag high heels and a fascinator, Sis couldn't decide on what to get so bought 3 dresses and she will chose later and take the others back (I hope she chooses the blue one its stunning on her and us great with her colouring...beautiful) and I bought a gorgeous jacket in a kind of brocade pattern in soft grey and black to wear with a John Rocha dress I bought ages ago...so a really successful trip and I loved being out with them all too...of course the little un had to have her lip gloss on and buy some girlie bits and pieces...she is so a girlie girl and so so adorable...right now enough waffle Mina onto to today's card, how perfect is the fantastic Gloria By the Pool by Mo's Digital Pencil...now how on earth did she get a photo of me to copy lol, yeah right, I wish I looked that good in a swimsuit...I coloured her with distress inks and used these lush Bo Bunny Back to Basics Smoochable words papers...I wont be entering any challenge for the next two weeks as I'm am only here virtually after today...but all the sketches except a couple I made up are from Mojo Monday...I finished my card with some pretty buttons...I'm off to pack today so wish me luck I don't forget something vital...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and wherever you are I hope you get a bit of Gloria's weather
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
swimsuit - victorian velvet, spun sugar, shabby shutters
tube - victorian velvet, shabby shutters
drink - shabby shutters, spun sugar

BUNNY ZOE'S MONTHLY CANDY...

Good morning everyone...no card today Im having an easy day, well if you call it easy doing two weeks posts...but it is time for our brand new Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy...oooohhhhh I love these Wild Rose Studio Stamp don't you, in fact I love them so much I got one too...

so what do you need to do to win this little cutie?...you don't have to be a follower of mine or Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog but it would help if you plan on joining in with our candies and of course I would love you to be..
just leave your name and link in Mr linky AND leave me a comment
post the first image and a link on your blog-sidebar is fine
that's about it really...its open worldwide and will close at midnight gmt on the 29th September...because I wont be here for a couple of weeks but I will be virtually and still posting everyday...you still have until midnight tonight to join in with my die cutting candy too
Until then have a fabulous Sunday, Im off for a lie down in a darkened room lol, I think I might have internet stress before Im finished today
Mina xxx

they dont all bite...

Good morning everyone do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend...my Sister and her family are visiting from Belfast, its the first time she has seen our new house, I wish it was a bit more finished before she saw it but she has imagination and can see what we will do with it, oh and I must make some jelly and fruit this morning for my Niece and Nephew, I always make them some and make the jelly with fruit juice, its better than getting them sweets which my Sister isn't keen on them having and of course they love it too...well hopefully anyway lol...I'm all finished with my cards for posting while we are away...phew that was a mega making session or two so I hope you will all visit to see what I have made...I still haven't started packing or even doing the ironing for packing yet, but Phil says he will do the ironing while I finish my posts, now that's love for you isn't it...right now onto my card for today how gorgeous is this little sweetie from Saturated Canary, shes the one with fangs and is called No Bites...I coloured her with distress inks and used this fantastic shimmering double sided paper from S.E.I., I don't know what its called though but love the colour, I finished with a flower cut from the paper and a fabulous orange bow...the sketch is last weeks from Dutch Dare challenge but luckily my girlie card fits with this weeks challenge from them, I'm also entering it for the Saturated Canary Challenge (touch of blue and bow) and Shelly's images blog challenge...I'm off to Town this morning to buy those last second buys you forget when your off travelling, now you know what I mean don't you, we always have a little list of last minuet buys...please tell me you all have one too and its not just my forgetful head lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant day
Mina xxx
p.s. todays the last day for entering my candy and theres a new one tomorrow

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
eyes - tumbled glass
dress - mix of tattered rose & milled lavender
shoes and heart - milled lavender
apron - pumice stone, spiced marmalade, spun sugar
bow - spiced marmalade
puppy - pumice stone, spun sugar

BARGAINS TO BE HAD...

Hi everyone just popped on to tell you theres bargains to be had at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...an amazing 20% off Magnolia stamps, Dies and Papers and even more off older Magnolia stamps too...so pop on over to grab one before they are all gone...speak tomorrow
Mina xxx

listen for the sirens...

Good morning everyone...well the busted sofa look has gone thank goodness and at least I'm tidy and presentable for our holidays much to Phil's relief...thank you all so so much for the lovely comments on the house photos yesterday, you all seem to really like what we are doing...btw for the couple of people who mentioned it the sofas aren't leather they are like a tweedy type fabric...oh btw when I was leaving for the hairdressers yesterday guess what happened the front door lock broke, it was just spinning and wouldn't lock at all, luckily Phil had replaced the glass in the porch door (remember he had to smash when I got locked out) and it has bolt locks inside so at least I got out...I think we have a lock gremlin lurking in the skirting boards waiting to see which one he can sabotage next lol...my Dad keeps telling people that he was cheeky to me and I gave him the black eye before laughing and saying that he did it on the car door...I fully expect the police to arrive to arrest me for assault so am listening for the sirens, he thinks its hilarious lol...right now onto my card for today...I must admit I have a real soft spot for these gorgeous Morehead stamps...now look at that hat and the cut dungarees, how cute is she...this is part of the Morehead Acrylic Stamp Set - Raindrops set and the sentiment is from the same set too...I used more of my favourite pad, I love this Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments 6x6 Paper Pad and I'm going to be gutted when its all used up...the little banner I stamped onto is cut from the same pad too...I finished with some lush white satin trimmed organza ribbon and a bow, a rose from the Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag and a few gems from the Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm...everything expect the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Bearly-mine challenge and Try it on Tuesday challenge too...right I'm finishing my posts for while I'm away, oh and btw I will have more candy on offer on Sunday after the newest candy finishes...whatever your up to listen for the sirens then follow as fast as possible to get me out lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique ;inen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
hat - spun sugar
outfit - pumice stone, victorian velvet, frayed burlap
boots - frayed burlap
flower - scattered straw, crushed olive

getting there-house pictures...

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a good week?...I coloured 10 images yesterday, papers sorted, embellishments etc and then sat down last night to do my post and realised I hadn't actually made a card, well duh Mina...so no card today but I have loads of new photos of the house to show you...are you fed up with them yet lol?...I got a phone call early morning to tell me the sofas would be delivered between 2 and 5pm which I thought was nice of them to tell me...then a call at 2pm from the lorry driver to say he would be there at 2.45 and our new sofas came spot on time...two lovely strapping fellas hauled them into the house, put them in place, removed all the packaging and took it away, they even shook my rug and tidied up...we had a good gossip too about deliveries (would you believe they have to haul sofas up flights of stairs to apartments no matter which floor they are on) and my Geordie accent etc lol...I must admit I'm impressed with DFS...and I found out the sofas have doubled in price from when we got our bargain price and are now £1200 for the two so I'm super impressed...right onto the photos, the rooms aren't finished but we are getting there...

our new huge massive sofas in place...and my well shaken rug lol

how well do they go with the new white Ikea furniture?...my Dad loves loves loves the sofas as they are high enough for him to get out of comfortably without shuffling to the edge and straining to get up...bless him

this shows the colour of them better, I love how I can lie down on them and my head and feet don't touch the sides...mind you I am a tad height challenge at 5ft 3inches...the room still needs decorated, pictures on the walls and curtains yet though

this is the new bathroom colour?...what do you think? isn't it lush and much better than the blue ...its called pale olive and is from the B&Q kitchen and bathrooms colours...its a tad lighter in real life, just the day was a bit dull for the photos...I still haven't got the curtains though but have decided on pink gingham...er....I think lol...the cabinet was ours already so not new but matches well don't you think

my bargain Ikea mirror £11 and its big too...don't you love our radiator?

now who says you cant have a chandelier in a small room...well a small one anyway....I'm off for a haircut today in time for my holidays, my lovely Dad is coming with me, I think he only comes with me because its across the road from a Starbucks and I have to buy him a coffe and magazine before I go in lol...cant go with the busted sofa look can I...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I will have a card made for tomorrow I promise so speak to you all then
Mina xxx

just when you think its all over...it isnt...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and happy...oooohhhh I forgot to tell you yesterday my lovely Dad was getting out of his car on Monday and tripped, he hit the edge of the door with his eye and he has a massive shiner, the poor thing looks like he has gone ten rounds with someone but luckily he missed his eye as its the one he just had surgery on...he says if anyone asks hes going to tell them I beat him up...he has a wicked sense of humour lol...now just when you think all the lifting and humping of furniture is over...it isn't...our new sofas arrive today at long last which meant we had to spend last night pulling and shoving one of the old sofas into my craft room and the other into a spare room ready for dumping...I asked the woman on the phone who rang to tell me about the delivery what time they would come...no set time would you believe it can be anything from 7am to 7pm...now normally I wouldn't mind but I have spent the last two days indoors and am itching to get out and about even if its just for a coffee or mooch around the shops...oh well at least they are arriving before our holidays as I thought I would have to spend hours on the phone explaining we were on holiday and for them not to deliver while we are away...right now onto my card for today which is using one of the new digis from Crafts and Me...this stunner is by the amazing Hannah Lynn...isn't she so beautiful...her name is Kyra and I coloured her with distress inks...I have no idea what make this fantastic paper is as it came from my scrap stash but I had to use it the colours are just perfect for her don't you think...I finished with a couple of strip of wired ribbon and a fabulous butterfly charm...I love this charm don't you, it came from a local shop, I must get some of their charms for a candy I think as they are fabulous...the sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge...well I better find something to do to pass the time today...I might start some door painting upstairs...I wont start downstairs as cream streaks on new sofas isn't a good look is it lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to get out and about
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
flowers - tea dye, crushed olive
snake - crushed olive
top, tail and fin - tea dye

too old for skinny dipping...

Good morning everyone, are you all well and having a good week...if not have a moan it will do you the world of good or even better have a rant its even better for the soul...we will all listen to you...I was sitting crafting yesterday morning and my mind was going through what I was taking on holidays (I'm a woman I can multitask lol) when it dawned on me I hadn't seen the bag I put all my swimsuits and sarongs and cover up into ready to put my hand on...well I searched and searched and came up with nothing, there isn't any bags left to empty and I looked in all the cases, so as soon as Phil came in I pounced, had he put the bag away somewhere...we all remember the incident with the handbag that disappeared and it turned up in the attic don't we lol, had I looked in my drawers, well duh lol...nope he hadnt seen it anyway but had a search through the attic and everywhere else he could think of...oh well he says just buy another swimsuit...is he mad I ask myself, it took me years to collect swimsuits and cover up that hide the lumpy bits and support the floppy bits you cant just go in mid September and find swimsuits that you need can you...by this time I was ready to cancel everything and stay at home when I heard Phil yell from one of the spare rooms...there's a couple of cupboards we were going to throw away but our beautiful Daughter asked us to keep for her at the last minuet...now I don't know where Phil's brain was that day but he had shoved the bag in one of them (shhhhhh dont tell him but it was probably me lol)...if I hadn't been so relieved I would have asked why but I don't care they are safe and folded ready to pack...phew panic over after all I'm far to old for skinny dipping I don't want to scare any small children lol...right now onto my card for today which is using another little angel from Mo's Digital Pencil, just look at that face isn't he adorable...hes called Just one story (boy) and I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced his little onesies...the fabulous papers I used are from the My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing - Bluebell 6x6 Pad its from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but I think its out of stock atm...I finished with a lush silk bow, a couple of buttons and a tag...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge, Im also entering it for the Sassy Cheryl's digi stamps challenge too...I'm having another crafting day today this time without the mind panic...whatever your up to don't forget have a rant or moan if you need too
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
book - antique linen, stormy sky
teddy - antique linen, spun sugar
cuff and collar on onsie - stormy sky
shading on onsie - pumice stone

eek no colouring...

Good morning everyone...what did you get up to at the weekend? anything exciting?...go on let us know and make us all jealous...it absolutely tiddled down here yesterday so no gardening thank goodness I'm so glad of the rest...even so doing bits and pieces meant I didn't get any crafting done at all and when we did finally sit down at about 4pm I fell asleep almost instantly and didn't wake until 7.30 would you believe...I must have needed it though as I'm still shattered and even went to bed early last night. We did pop out to the supermarket for a few things though and I watched as Phil and my Dad stood open mouthed watching a rather plump middle aged woman with skin tight pink cropped trousers, a skin tight leopard print top and the biggest hair and loads of bling you have ever seen looking at the book section...the expressions on their faces were hilarious and when they saw me watching them they just grinned like a couple of schoolboys found with their hand in the cookie jar lol...seriously though do some people not own a mirror, although I suppose she thought she looked great and that's what counts...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month the theme is distressing, any kind of distressing you want, you can distress your papers or distress using inks anything you like...I chose to use these stunning stamps (the compass one and the main postcard one) from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Check In
stamp set, this like all the Kaisercraft sets is so so lush, loads of stamp all on one sheet too and fantastic quality...I distressed the edge of my main image with antique distress ink and used papers from the beautiful Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad...I finished with a little bit of lace, some clocks cut from the papers and a frame from the 3 x Oval Frames (B053-W) set...Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge (this one is stamps only), Stampalot challenge and the Allsorts challenge...I have to do a crafting day today to catch up with dt work and do some crafting for while I'm away, I still need to do my posts don't I ocd or what lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget to check those mirrors before you head out lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours - antique linen for edge distressing

oh no now I have started...

Good morning everyone are you having a brilliant weekend...well our front garden is done now...we have two smallish circular planting areas in a sea of pea gravel but they were just crammed with weeds so had to be tidied they were doing my head in every time I walked up the path to the front door...so we all trooped off to the garden centre yesterday (even my Dad came) and I bought some lush soft blue grasses, beautiful but they only had two left, I also bought some red grasses and lavenders...so we took a circle each (I got the smallest one thank goodness) weeded and planted and they are looking a little bare still but so pretty with all the colours and they match the house beautifully, the trim of the house is blue and the door is deep red wood and the lilac/purple will add a bit more colour...I should have taken a before photo shouldn't I but oops I forgot...I will take some photos now though although they would probably be better in a couple of months with the extra growth...I discovered I don't like wood lice at all uuuurrrrggghhhh...I was weeding a bit and felt a tickle on my hand, looking down there was about ten of them on my hand...one yell and a lot of shuddering later I was free of them but they did give me the judders...I will fish out the tags of the plants if anyone wants to know the name of the blue grass, the reddish ones are Cordilyns (sorry not sure of the spelling) and the Lavender is English lavender...right enough babbling about the garden Mina...did you all enjoy the hop yesterday? there's still loads of time to join in if you fancy winning some goodies, I seem to be on a Christmas roll now though...how cute is this gorgeous Mo's Digital Pencil sweetie...this is the fabulous Santa Kai, don't you just love his little jim jams poking out the bottom of his Santa coat...I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced his suit, hat and the gift bow. I love paper piecing, I think its all that cutting out...doesn't it look like I spent ages putting this card together but most is one sheet of paper and is a ready made layout from the fantastic My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, there's a few of these layouts in the pad and they work fantastically for cards as well as scrapbook all I needed to add was the tag (cut from the same pad) and a ribbon...I will have to buy more of these. I'm entering this for the Crafty Catz weekly challenge, Stampin' for the weekend challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today I feel the need to colour and cut to my hearts content, well that's the plan anyway...whatever your up to today watch out for those wood lice they are sneaky things lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
shading - pumice stone
jim jams - tumbled glass, fired brick
gift - antique linen