we should all sparkle now and again...

Good morning everyone did you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, it isn't finished here as today is a public holiday too...well Sunday lunch was the biggest of success, my poor Dad and Daughter have both come down with some mystery virus and felt really rotten (although that could explain why I haven't felt the best for the last few days) they had high temperature and felt ill, so there was a lot of leftover food and lunch was at 2 and everyone had left by 3.20 leaving Phil and me to watch Happy Feet and Jurassic Park before nodding off for a few hours...I hope they are feeling better today the poor things...there's a virus doing the rounds here atm but hopefully not everyone will get it...they all had plans for today too which have had to be shelved...I really feel for them its rotten being not well isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, our host this month is the fabulous Dorcas and she chose Ribbon or Twine, great choice but instead of my usual ribbon I chose twine...the stunning cute stamp is from The Greeting Farm and is called Glimmer Bean, I paper pieced her cute little outfit and coloured her with distress inks, she suits those colours don't you think...the lush paper is from the Glitz 6x6 Paper Pad Vintage Blue...I'm loving these fabulous Glitz paper pads...the twine is from the Sew Easy Bakers Twine Neutrals set but I dyed it a little with some scattered straw distress inks, I did this by adding a few drops to some water and soaking the twine in it...when it was dry it was tinted yellow...I will definitely tint more like this its a great way of altering the colourway slightly to fit with your colours...I finished with the sparkle sentiment which is from the same GF stamp Glimmer Bean...we should all feel like we sparkle now and again shouldn't we, even if its just us that notices lol...the sketch is from Sweet Stampin but I'm like the cows tail, always behind lol...I missed the deadline for it...I'm entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge, Anyone for Anya challenge and the ATC's & Cards with attitude challenge...I'm off to the supermarket with my lovely Dad today is hes feeling any better, I don't think its a good idea but he wants to go out for food shopping so will do as I'm told lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic Easter Monday and when you have time check out the rest of our wonderful DT's work over at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge
Mina xxx

distress inks used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - scattered straw, antique linen, frayed burlap
wings on heart - stormy skies

darker or lighter?...

Good morning everyone and Happy Easter to you all...do you have anything special planned for today, we are having a family lunch...roast beef and the works...yum yum...I love these kinds of days dont you, the whole family gathered around a groaning table, laughing and chatting and just enjoying being with each other and my lovely Dad is home from Belfast, he got the all clear from the surgeon for his eye so now its operation no 2 to start arranging for his other eye...I keep telling him this is just his 80 year mot lol...now my card for today and I warned you I would have to make another card with this amazing Believe stamp from Crafts and Me, I really needed to try to redo her hair, I wanted it more texturised and dishevelled if you know what I mean...I dont know if I managed it and Im still not happy with it and might try her with black hair but she does look just as gorgeous with dark brown hair dont you think...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with more of the lush K and Company 6x6 paper pad Julianne (Im totally addicted to this pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts) and finished with some of this fantastic Sheer Ruffle Edge 38mm ribbon in Light Blue from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, stunning ribbon isnt it, and some punched butterflies...Im entering this for the Papertake Weekly Challenge and the One Stop Craft Challenge (the challenge is pastel and dies but as I dont have a die cutter I hope they allow punches)...Im off to peel some carrots and then some crafting while Phil makes lunch and yes I know Im lucky having a man who loves cooking lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a wonderful family day and dont eat too many chocolate eggs
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen, walnut stain
nails and lips - victorian velvet
dress, headband and roses - stormy sky

Beauty...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy your Friday, did you get away for the day or stay at home, Phil didn't go to the racing and spent the day with me instead, what a little Darling isn't he...we went out for lunch and yummy it was too, had a little mooch around some shops and later on I cooked Chinese food, yes I know I cooked it don't all faint lol...Phil's away at the racing today though so I'm all alone for the whole day as hes usually very late back...so crafting and maybe some tv today...btw I forgot to tell you all about a bit of excitement that happened the day before we went down to the farmhouse, I was just getting ready to go in the shower and Phil was getting some things together to take with us and I heard really loud screaming for help, you know the panicky feeling you get in your chest when you hear something like that well I dashed out of the bathroom looked out my bedroom window and the young woman who has just moved in across the road from us was on her knees in her front garden leaning forward with her head in her hands screaming help I dashed out the bathroom and met Phil in the hall who was heading for the front door, the man next door and two neighbours further up the cul de sac were running towards her at the same time, I had visions of her being cut open or worse...they were having an argument and he wouldn't give her the keys to the car would you believe...we all asked if she needed help and she totally blanked us and on her feet as quick as a flash continued to scream at him through their front door...well really woman you nearly gave us all a heart attack lol...anyway onto my card for today, how amazingly beautiful is this Spring Fairy Aleta from Mo's digital Pencil...she is so gorgeous to colour but then when isn't one of Mo's images...I coloured her with distress inks and used this shaped paper from the Prima Madeline collection, I don't know what the sheets called though as this was by itself...I loved this paper so much I only added a ribbon and bow to finish...the Beauty sentiment is already on the sheet...there is no sketch today but Im entering this for the Fairy Fun Friday challenge and the Delightful Challenge...I have loads of printed images to colour today not for any reason just for the sheer pleasure of colouring, oh and I might just make a couple of cards with them lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and if you need to run out in the road make sure your not in your dressing gown lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
skirt - worn lipstick
dandelion - antique linen, peeled paint, shabby shutters

Any knitters out there?...

Hi everyone a quick post for an appeal for any knitters out there that could spare a little time out of their busy lives to help this worthy cause for the 'Fish & Chips Babies'
The post all about it and explaining how you can help is on my lovely teamie Dawny's blog...just click here...thanks for looking everyone
Mina xxx

a Happy Easter bunny...

Good morning everyone and Happy Easter to you all, this year is just flying by isn't it...whhoooosssshhhh and its Easter...I still buy my Daughter, her other half and Phil Easter eggs you know, I just dont seem to be able to get out of the habit...do you still buy your grown up children Easter eggs or is it just me...although they don't complain about it lol. One year when our Daughter was 6 she got an amazing 28 Easter eggs, I think we were still using them for rice crispy buns at Christmas lol...after that we asked people not to buy them for her it just seemed such a waste as she never was a great sweet eater but give her a Sunday roast and stand back lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this week I'm the host and its our special monthly challenge and the theme is Anything Goes, so lets your imagination run riot as long as it has either a hAnglar or Magnolia stamp used on it...I chose this cute Bunny Tilda stamp I bought ages and ages ago, I love this stamp and its fab to colour, I used distress inks and the fantastic papers are from the Glitz 6x6 paper pad Pretty in Pink, I love this pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...gorgeous rich pinks toned down with chocolates and greys...lush...I finished with a stamped sentiment, a mixture of different size roses, yes they are roses and not paper cut outs lol...and I added some punched leaves and fronds...the lush sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Cardmakers and Ribbon Carousel challenge...I'm having a crafting chilling day today as I'm all alone for the day, well that's the plan anyway...whatever your up to have a wonderful start to the Easter weekend and whatever your up to have fun
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap, walnut stain
bunny suit - spun sugar, pumice stone

Easter Goodies galore...

Hi everyone I have just popped on to tell you that Bunny Zoe's Crafts has a
10% OFF EVERYTHING
offer for Easter...pop on over to get your bargains
speak to you all tomorrow
Mina xxx

loads and loads of flowers...

Good morning everyone, I'm not mentioning the weather today as I'm rapidly becoming one of the weather police lol...how are you all, well and happy I hope, are any of you lucky enough to be going away for Easter, we aren't as Phil is marshaling at the races all day Friday and Saturday (for those that dont know he marshals motor bike road racing in his spare time), so I'm looking forward to loads of crafting and some old movies on tv, there's always some goodies on isn't there, my absolute favourite films are sci-fi or scary...the scarier the better as long as they aren't too gory though...my idea of heaven is a cup of Lady Grey tea, tucked up in bed and watching a really scarey movie in the dark...my Daughter doesn't know how I do it when I'm all alone in the dark...but I think real life is far scarier than any movie don't you...whats your idea of heaven?...thank you all so so much for all your positive vibes yesterday I don't know if its worked yet but with all those good vibes its bound to have...we wont know for about a week but will let you all know as soon as I can...right no more waffling Mina onto my card for today...how gorgeous is this little sweetie, shes from the brand new Stampavie Sarah Kay collection and is called Alice in the Morning, isn't she so pretty and girly, I coloured her with distress inks and used these lush papers from the K and Company Sweet Nectar 6x6 paper pad, the flowers I cut out from the same pad (btw theres a try me pack of these too in case you didnt want the whole pad) and because they were so gorgeous I didn't use anything else on my card except a sentiment...the stamp and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm entering this for the Papertake Weekly challenge, Stamp with Fun Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge (my favourite tool is my teeny little curved pergamano scissors I use to cut out everything)...I'm off to do the dreaded weekend supermarket shop tomorrow as we are having family lunch on Sunday and I wont get out again before...ohhhhh my life is just one mad social whirl lol...whatever your up to today have a good one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
nightgown and slippers - spun sugar, shabby shutters
shading - grey marvy pen, weathered wood

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