officially fed up now

Good morning everyone, ok now Im officially fed up and mad now...I have tried four times to upkoad my card for today...its either my usual rubbish isp problem or blogger...whichever I surrender for now and will be back a bit later to try, try, try and try again...speak to you all later

Mina xxx

my cutie Valentine...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a good week, do you all celebrate Valentines Day?, we dont really but I would love to know what your getting up to for it...thanks so much for all your sympathy yesterday your such a nice bunch of people...my toes are much better just kinda stiff but my knee is still a bit sore and swollen but at least I got out yesterday thank goodness, I was beginning to go a bit stir crazy...I didnt buy much just a few bits and pieces for the house we needed but at least I went for coffee...isnt it strange that we have a lush yellow Gaggia machine at home but I still pay to go out for one guess you cant beat someone making coffee for you can you lol...right now my Valentines card I made for today is using a digi from Sassy Cheryl's Digis, I havent used one of these before but as this cutie was all of 50c I couldnt resist now could I (of course just a couple more popped into my basket too lol)...this is the super cute Sweet & Sassy coloured with distress inks...I couldnt resist making her a bit vintage as think she has a real old fashioned look about her dont you?...the lush papers I used are from the Prima 6x6 Romance Novel pad I bought ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the tags behind her are from the same pad too...I added a few pink tinted roses, some leaves and yes I know yet another punched heart, well it is Valentines Day isnt it...the fab sketch is from the Sketchy Colors Challenge and Im also entering it for the Crafty Cardmakers challenge and Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps Challenge too...its supermarket day with my lovely Dad today, I hate the supermarket, I find it so so hard deciding what we will have to eat every day and even after Phil being home for months and months still cant get used to making a meal every night...my idea of meals while Phil worked away was either a tin of soup, a sandwich or cereal lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and if you have any hints or tips for food shopping let me know...pppppplllleeeeeaaaassseee
Mina xxx 

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dress and boots- spun sugarm victorian velvet

top, headband and tights - antique linen, victorian velvet

heart - victorian velvet

just a heart or two...or three...

Good morning everyone how you all doing?...well I didn't get out at all yesterday because of the return of the klutz, I only fell down the stairs didnt I, which was painful enough but I bent some of my toes weirdly when I fell and spent the rest of the day limping and nursing a very bruised knee...omg sometimes I'm too dangerous to let out of bed lol...they aren't broken (well I hope they aren't) because I can bend them ok, I think I just wrenched them...ouch...point of that was though that I didn't get out so no shopping trip or coffee or anything...ok are you feeling sorry for me yet lol...ok enough feeling sorry for myself onto my card for today, this isn't a colour combo I would normally use but it works ok don't you think?...how stunningly beautiful is this image from Mo's Digital Pencil...perfect for any love card...this is the gorgeous Full Heart, I coloured her with distress inks and I have been playing around mixing some colours together to get different ones for this beauty, having loads of fun discovering what they look like together too...I teamed her up with these lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...that yellow really suits her don't you think...I finished with just a few more punched hearts (well you can never have too many hearts or butterflies I think lol), a lush cream coloured satin bow and a cream crinkly rose...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Card Makin Mamas challenge, Totally Gorjuss challenge and the Papertake Weekly Challenge too...Im going out today come hail, rain, shine or stairs lol...whatever your up to today watch out for those things that life puts in your way they are lethal lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dress and shoes - mix of scattered straw & antique linen, mix of

tumbled glass & shabby shutters

hearts - victorian velvet

leaves - shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

you just never know what you will find...

Good morning everyone are you all having a good week?...its still tiddling down here and I'm expecting my first delivery of wood and nails this afternoon lol...I could hardly see a thing even with the light on either it was a very bad light day or my glasses need changed urgently...I'm hoping its the light lol...I was having a mooch through my cards and sorting them out and realised I seem to have an aversion to using black, mind you it is a bit like the dreaded red and takes care and time to use, just a teeny bit too much water and it goes everywhere and I don't know what is it about red and black inks but I always get covered in them when I'm using them and either look like an extra from a horror film or a coal man lol...so I thought ok bite the bullet and get colouring with black for a change so watch out I just used a tiny bit today but there is a card with much much more in the next few days too...I did get a bit distracted though, I found a box I hadn't touched since the move and loads of long forgotten goodies in the bottom of it, including these lush flowers I used on today's card...right now the details of the card...this stunner is of course one of the beautiful Vintage Adorable from Sugar Nellie and the last of the new ones I got to colour, look at all those amazing curls...this is the beautiful Suzie...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with some papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Now and Then (I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm I'm afraid)...I added some lush black ribbon and bow and these amazing flowers from K&Co, I'm sorry I don't know what they are called or which collection they are from but they match this card brilliantly don't they?...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for The Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge and the One Stitch at a Time Challenge too...I'm off out today I need a walk around in the fresh air even if its still pouring down and feel a little bit of retail therapy coming on I'm sure its hiding somewhere at the back of my mind waiting to pounce...whatever your up to have a brilliant warm, dry one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

ribbons - black soot

eyes - peeled paint

sweater - stormy sky, black soot

we have a winner...

Hi me again...I almost forgot all about the winner of my newest candy didnt I...thanks to everyone who entered but there can be only one winner...but never worry there will be loads more chances to win some goodies soon...ok

the Mr random thingy picked No picked

No. 9

and that is

 RACHEL FISHER

huge congratulations Rachel, could you please email me and I will send your e voucher for you to get spending...night night everyone

Mina xxx

hhhheeeelllpppppppp.....

Good morning everyone did you all have a lovely Sunday...did you notice I was missing?...my ISP is playing silly tricks again...my connection was in and out on Saturday then went off Saturday night and only came back about 8pm last night...I had posts to do too aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh why does things like that always happen when you need to get things done...is it sods law do you think...anyway I'm calm now lol...we didn't do anything yesterday at all, the heavens opened and it didn't stop pouring until last night I was expecting an ark or two floating up the street at any second lol...but at least we don't have it as bad as some places in the mainland and the USA, I watched an amazing time lapse video last night on Facebook of a snow storm it was like something out of a movie as the snow covered everything including the window it was being filmed from...really scary...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge, so everything I used except the ribbon came from Bunny Zoe's Crafts of course...this month the challenge is Flowers & Pearls...I couldn't resist buying this stunning stamp set from Kaisercraft when I saw it...this one is called Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Periwinkle, another stunning set from them...I coloured it with my usual distress inks and teamed it up with one of their stunning paper pads, these papers are from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...stunning colours aren't they...I finished with a few strips of pearls, a mix of 3mm and 4mm mixed pearl sets and a bias binding bow...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge and the Delightful Challenge...I will have to show you the card I had for yesterday another day, well ISP willing that is...I'm going to spend today sheltering from the rain and crafting I think, I fancy a bit of crafting therapy...we all know those sort of day don't we...the kind of days when you need to create something, so fingers crossed my mojo stays intact for it lol...whatever your up to today if you have time pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog to see what the rest of our fabulous DT came up with...have a good dry one everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

rose - scattered straw, antique linen

leaves - shabby shutters, peeled paint

open flower - antique linen

feather - tumbled glass, stormy sky

shading around image - pumice stone

shading at edge - antique linen

surfs up...

Good morning everyone...well its the weekend have you anything spectacular planned?...we haven't but its just lovely having a weekend together when Phil was away most of the last one...so I guess just a normal weekend day...bit of shopping, bit of coffee, a bit of gossip and maybe even a purchase or two (of course nothing crafting bought lol)...well now for a bit of surfing news, things and links for you to drool over, have a giggle at and enjoy...over the last six months I have been looking at paper sculpting on the net...wow its an amazing art form and my first link for today is for one of the paper sculpting kings...if you have never heard of it check out the link on Calvin Nicholls site under Shows & Demonstrations/News on page 4 he shows how he does his amazing creations...you will be fascinated...just click the name for the link sit back and enjoy

my next link is for a site called Humor Train, its a brilliant site for all things giggly and funny...its one of my coffee and cake sites though...so prepare to spend a while on it...the picture below is one I live my life by lol...this is from Humor train...theres loads of category's and some new stuff on every day...enjoy

 

my last one is probably one that's recognisable to most of you but just in case it isn't...pop on over to Pinterest for a vast amount of inspiration and of course some major envy too...its a brilliant visual site for well everything really (hint if you want more info on the pictures just click on them it usually has a link or something connected)...defo a two coffee and cake site though...click on the everything link to refresh every couple of minuets for something new

quick question before I leave you in peace to enjoy your Saturday...are you enjoying my Saturday surfing links?...now come on tell the truth lol...I wont mind if you would prefer a card or something else honestly...just let me know...right I'm off to get my war paint on, I'm at the age I wouldnt even  put the bins out without my mascara and lippy...oooohhhhh vanity lol...have a good surf

Mina xxx
p.s. theres only today and tomorrow to join in with my candy...so if you haven't already click the link to go straight to the post

not quite right...

Good morning everyone how are you all...well I hope no sniffles or colds?  theres loads of them going round atm...we went for our put the world to rights coffee yesterday so watch the news for all the worlds problems being solved and joy and happiness to descend on us all...my wonderful Dad could sort everything out no problem lol...well I say everything he managed to lose his gloves and we had to go looking for them so maybe not lost gloves lol...its usually me that loses things like that I have a fantastic soft leather pair of gloves I bought many moons ago in Venice and I love them to bits (well I have two pairs actually one pink pair but the black ones are my favs), I have lost count of how many times I have dropped them, I have a habit of putting them on my lap when I'm in the car forget they are there and leaving them in puddles or snow lying beside the car...I think that's why they have lasted so long, they have been soaking wet many many times and they look brand new and are super soft because of it...so if you have a pair of leather gloves that need softened you know what to do lol...right my card for today...you know when you colour something and your not happy with it, something is just not quite right...well that's how I feel about today's image...its a beautiful one from MayzyArt and is called Freckles Mermaid...shes brilliant isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks as always but I think I'm not happy with how the beigey pinky colour in her tail etc turned out...it looks too flesh coloured...do you know what I mean...anyway its a good excuse to use her again and be finally happy with the result...the lush papers are a few loose sheets from my ever growing pile of them...I know they are Prima but haven't a clue which collection they are from...I finished with some punched butterflies, a soft blue organza ribbon bow, a teeny sentiment charm and a few scattered gems from the Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm...I know I bought the Prima pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the Gems are from there too...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Divas By Designs Challenge and Sketchy Colors Challenge too...I'm making a cheesecake today but remembered to buy some icing sugar so there wont be any gritty bits lol...whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

hair - milled lavender

eyes - tumbled glass

lips - victorian velvet

face, arms, chest - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

rest of skin, fins, face etc - tumbled glass, milled lavender, frayed burlap, tattered rose

blue boy...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a fabulous week...I had a really relaxing crafting day yesterday, how many cards did I make...er....one lol...I got bogged down with playing and printing loads and loads of stuff...so much so that I almost ran out of ink and just finished in time...I get caught up with how many images I can fit on one sheet of my paper I used for printing at £1 a sheet its a challenge to see how many I can get on and fill every single square centimetre...sad I know lol...but my record so far is 10 of a decent enough size to colour of course I could probably get about 30 if they were smaller but they wouldn't be as enjoyable to colour or use...oh btw I got an email the other day asking about what I used for the whites in the eyes of the Vintage Adorables I have been colouring, the answer is nothing the white bits just aren't coloured is all...I don't have a white pen or pencil, I used to have one many moons ago but it dried up because it was never used the poor neglected thing...it can be a bit fiddly going around the white bits with a paintbrush but well worth it I think...I'm one of those rare people who love love love making boys cards so when I had a space left on my paper I had to print this darling little Simply Adorable sweetie from Sugar Nellie, I love him so much, everything about him is a joy to behold and hes a dream to colour too...this is the wonderful Thomas and I coloured him as always with my distress inks, I cut him out and popped him on top of these stunning papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Now and Then pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and finished with a lush checked ribbon bow and a button from my stash...I love this fab sketch don't you, its from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge and the Crafting When we can challenge too...its supermarket day today and we are off to Costa for a good bout of 'put the world to rights' coffee too of course...its a new one across from the supermarket and I said to my Dad next time we went I would take for a coffee and a cupcake...I love our coffee sessions even if he does ignore me for the first ten minuets while he catches up with the news headlines lol...whatever your up to I hope you have an enjoyable day

Mina xxx

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

trousers - pumice stone

t-shirt - tumbled glass, stormy sky

eyes - tumbled glass

engine - faded jeans, tumbled glass

who says it has to be red and white...

Good morning everyone bbbbbrrrrrrrrr its bleeding cold here...in the last 24 hours we have had rain, hail, snow, sleet, its blowing a gale and we have even had sunshine (well if you can count about 35 minuets of it lol)...there a saying here that we can have all four season in one day well it as certainly proved right yesterday...I was going to head out yesterday afternoon but wasn't sure what to wear or if I needed an umbrella or snow shoes lol....I was making this card for today and got to wondering who decided on the colours we should have for different occasions...like green & red for Christmas or red and white for Valentines, did someone actually sit down and decide...can you imagine a room full of elves, fairies and Santa saying ok who votes for red & green then...or a room full of cupids and cherubs deciding they didn't like the idea of orange and green for Valentines...brilliant thought isn't it...I think it just turned out that way don't you think...well I have gone against the grain today and made a Valentines card in Yellow and Blue and the reason?, well today's card is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge and the theme today is to choose or favourite colour combo, mine is Yellow & Blue atm but it changes all the time and I think mine has a lot to do with the new papers I have bought at the time...well it may be against the norm but I think this yellow and blue theme is ok for Valentines what about you?...the stunning digi from Crafts & Me I chose to use is by Hannah Lynn and is called Mimi, stunning isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and the papers I used are from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a bow and a charm from my stash and a few punched hearts from the same pad...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge and the Created With Love Challenge too...well I have one or two choices today but I feel hibernating until spring seems the best option atm, whatever your up to I hope your warm and cosy

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - stormy sky, tumbled glass

lips - victorian velvet

heart - scattered straw

ourfit and fan - tumbled glass, stormy sky, scattered straw

whoooooosssssshhhhhh...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and having a good week....wwwwooooossssshhhhhhh there flew my Monday, what happened to it...it just rushed by...the cake although a good idea didn't go the best...I made and cooked the sponges...great...then went to make butter icing for the filling along with blackcurrant jam and no icing sugar...aaaahhhhhh I yelled as the light bulb went on...so out came the liquidiser and in went the caster sugar...now how difficult can it be to make icing sugar...bloody hard lol...an hour later after nearly blowing up my liquidiser twice I had what resembled icing sugar...wrong but I made the butter icing anyway...it tasted great but like it had been at the beach for a day...you know that horrible gritty sensation you get from sand in your sandwiches, it doesn't go well with cake...oh well never mind they still ate it but I could hear the gritty bits bless them...well the lesson learnt is always keep a stock of icing sugar and don't try to be too clever lol...right now onto my card for today, using one of the new Magnolia With Love collection cuties...this one is Magnolia With Love - I'm in Love and I love her cute little tights don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunning papers from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...gorgeous colours isn't it...the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a gorgeous champagne coloured seam binding ribbon bow and a tag from the same pad...I made the sketch up as I went along and am entering it for the Magnolia Mania challenge, Marvelous Magnolia Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...Im leaving the cakes alone today and going to concentrate on some crafting, I will stick to what I know I think lol...whatever your up to have a brilliant disaster free day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

 hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

tights - pumice stone

top - scattered straw, antique linen 
 hat - bundled sage  

aaaaawwwwww gotta love technology...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend?...ours was kinda quiet Phil worked Saturday and was at a marshaling meeting yesterday (yep motorbike racing season will be starting soon *sigh*) so despite my rush to the shops for my new cable it was very very quiet...what was yours like?...its amazing how much we take technology for granted isn't it, well until it stops working then its a mad rush to get it to start again...I have a backup camera but it was charged either and could I hell find the cable for it...well looking for the cable last night to charge just in case something like that happened...guess what I discovered, the cable for my spare fits my camera I needed the new cable for...now that's defo called sods law isn't it lol, I also found a huge bag of cables that I haven't a clue what they are for, why do we keep cables without labelling them, how crackers and frustrating is that, do you all have a bag like that or is it just us?...tonight we are having the whole family for dinner and Phil made pies last night yum yum, so I'm going to make a cake for dessert this afternoon so that's my day sorted...right now onto my card for today which should have been yesterdays card (don't go there Mina it will fry your brain lol)...its using this stunning Crafty Cat image from Mo's Digital Pencil...I added a wordart Happy Birthday to it...brilliant idea the blank page isn't it so you can add your own message...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these amazing summery papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I'm loving all the new pads I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts last time I ordered aren't you...I finished with some Pink Roses, punched leaves and a sentiment from the same pad...the fab sketch is from Just Us Girls Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sandy's Crafty Creations Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...right I'm off to get my pinny on for baking, can you believe I'm actually starting to enjoy baking, haven't stretched far enough as to start to enjoy cooking yet though lol...whatever your up to have a brilliant day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

ribbons, heart & shoes - worn lipstick

dress - tumbled glass, pumice stone

bag and contents - shabby shutters, frayed burlap, scattered straw, victorian velvet

messages - pumice stone, antique linen, victorian velvet, tumbled glass, shabby shutters

what a catsafterme...

Hi everyone, well have I had a day...last night I went to take some photos of todays card and my camera had no charge, after hours of charging still no charge, so I left it plugged in until this morning and yep you guessed it...still no charge...now why do these things happen when your camera is 1 month 2 days outside its guarantee???...well thanks to the helpline I found out its a faulty charging cable and I needed a new one...I have spent most of today running around trying to find one...long story short I finally have one and my camera is plugged in and (fingers crossed) charging at long last...so I will be back tomorrow with a freshly charged camera and some photos hopefully...sorry for everyone who was expecting a card...but at least thats my catsafterme sorted (I love that word it reminds me of my Daughter being little lol)...enjoy the rest of your day

Mina xxx

now thats what I call a bad day

Good morning everyone I hope your having a wonderful weekend so far...poor Phil has to work today so there will be no little jaunts out for us...but never mind a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do and its his turn to be in charge at the weekend so theres no use moaning about it...well I could but no one would listen anyway lol...right now here's some lush info sites and a photo that really made me laugh out loud...the first is a blog called The Red Thread blog, its by Lisa Tilse, a designer, crafter, and maker and packed full of information, downloads and inspirational goodies so another tea and cake site I'm afraid, shes one of those people that are so multi talented she makes you green lol

next is this hilarious photo I found on Facebook on The Secret to Humor is Suprise I'm afraid I don't know who its from so if anyone knows please let me know so I can add their name to the post...now this is the kinda photo that makes you think no matter how bad your day is its not that bad isn't it lol

the last link is for one of my all time favourite paper range sites...wow but this blog is just jam packed with the lushest makes and papers and goodies from the fabulous Graphic45 range...they have the most amazing DT, so talented and so inspirational too...so enjoy

well that's it for this Saturday except one little thing...what should I call this information Saturday post thingy I'm doing?, any ideas?...well I'm off out for coffee with my lovely Dad and might even have a mooch in town, you never know...whatever your up to have fun surfing everyone

Mina xxx

luuuurrrvvvveeee...

Good morning everyone wow can you believe its February already...I think this year is going to fly by as fast as last year at this rate don't you...ok who's bright idea was a greenhouse for Phil then?, wow how expensive are they I could take him on holiday with the price of one, I better get saving hard lol...we went to the supermarket yesterday and because I haven't done a big shop since Christmas I got a real shock at the prices, they have just shot up...has anyone else found that lately?...or maybe it just seems that way in the mean months after Christmas lol...I have a quick question for you does anyone have any ideas for something special for my lovely Dad's birthday, something memorable but remembering he's disabled and cant do anything strenuous so no bungy jumping ideas please lol...right now onto my card for today which is using a freebie I picked up from the fabulous Krista's blog of Saturated Canary fame...this is the beautiful Hugs & Kisses (sorry she is isn't free anymore I'm afraid), I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these stunning papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Now and Then pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a lush cream silk ribbon and a couple of Roses...the fab sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Saturated Canary Challenge (Love Story) (oops too late) and the Bearly Mine Challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today, some colouring and cutting out I think is called for, I think cutting out is the best thing for relaxing, in fact I find it so relaxing I have actually fallen asleep doing it lol...whatever your up to today have a lovely day and I hope you manage to fit some crafting in too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - pumice stone, victorian velvet, spun sugar, fired brick

hearts - barn door, fired brick, spun sugar

box - pumice stone, victorian velvet

eyes - shabby shutters

p.s. just wanted to let you know that the pre order is all go on Bunny Zoe's Crafts for the stunning new 

Magnolia Little Easter Collection

Stamps & Papers

Due in stock week beginning 4th Feb

they are so so cute and there are a couple quite unusual so all you need to do is just click on the image to go there