have you made your list?...

Good morning everyone well here it is, the last day of the year...have you made any resolutions, I don't make any anymore because I never keep them or give up within a few weeks...no willpower lol...oh btw a few people have asked me about my smoking, well touch wood I'm still keeping it up, I must admit its a struggle and has been especially over the holidays and there was a couple of times when I was shopping I would have literally mugged someone for one...but I didn't...well not yet anyway lol...we did manage to go out yesterday not very far but at least a catch up coffee with my lovely Dad and a few giggles, its lovely catching up like this isn't it...we also met a few friends while we were out and about and there hugs and kisses and best wishes for the New Year of course....oooohhhhh I do kinda have a resolution, well its sort of a thing I will try to do I think, I have loads and loads of stamps that I have only used once (I know that's terrible isn't it) and I'm going to sort them out, keep and reuse some of my very favourite ones and the other I will put into bags and give away on monthly candies...so I'm going to share the love on 2013 so make sure you watch out for the A touch of rubber bags...right now onto my card for today, my last one of this year, how strange does that sound lol...how stunning is this Lil ballerina, you just know by looking at her shes by Mo's Digital Pencil don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Sweet Nothings 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...they match so well don't they...I finished with a lush rich green satin ribbon bow and a rose from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Card Crafter's Circle challenge too...it will be a quiet night in for us two, a drink together at midnight at the most we never really celebrate New Year but do all get together New Years Day for dinner...one of those perfect family get together's we love...whatever your up to tonight I hope you have fun and remember not too much falling down water lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet, pumice stone, peeled paint

hair ornaments - victorian velvet, peeled paint

BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS WINNER REDRAW...

 Hi everyone I have had to redraw the candy winner from my last Bunny Zoe;s Candy as the winner didn't come forward...so the new no is....

and that makes the new winner

MARIANNE

congratulations Marianne could you please email me your details and I will pass them onto Nikki so she can get your prize out to you asap

Mina xxx

so not me?...

Good morning everyone did you have a good day yesterday?...did you ever have one of those lazy days when you don't want to do anything at all except laze around...well we had one of those yesterday, when I got up we just looked at each other and both knew we wouldn't be heading for any sales at all...I think things just caught up with us...we plodded on and I got dressed and make up on then came downstairs, Phil said 'You don't really want to go out do you?'...don't you just love it when they agree with you lol...Phil said he didn't want to go out either so I popped back into my jimjam's while Phil made us a sandwich for lunch and we lazed around, had warm fruit cake with cream and watched Ice Age The rise of the dinosaurs...next thing I remember is waking up at 6.30pm...I must have dozed off, well I say dozed off went unconscious would be a better description I think lol...then our lazy day was followed by an equally lazy evening watching tv and eating junk...oh well I guess we will be rested for today anyway, well that's if we ever get our butts in gear to do anything today...fingers crossed...right now onto my card for today which has to be one of the fastest cards I have ever made and I'm don't think its my style do you?, at the beginning of the year I always make a few stock cards, you know the ones don't you...the sort that you might need during the year and will have stashed away so your not running around like a headless chicken having to make one...this one for a baby boy and I will make a baby girl one too, so when I decided to make this I knew straight away I would use the stunning Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Little Darlings pad...I love this stunning pad and it has so many stunning images in it I didn't even have to colour one (I know shock horror lol)...the image is from the pad and all I needed to finish was a few beautiful mixed pearls, a stunning satin ribbon and bow and a few roses including one from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Sage (10pcs) pack, these are fabulously crinkled flowers...the pad and flower are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and there's a 10% off across the store until midnight 1st January promotion on atm too so go on grab a bargain...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz challenge and the Totally Gorjuss challenge (my something new is a New Baby card)...well hopefully we will be so rested from yesterday we will be heading out today but you never know when the lazy bug will strike do you lol...whatever your up to have a fun day everyone

Mina xxx

it aint over till...

Good morning everyone, well how was your Christmas, any mishaps and was the jolly guy in the red suit good to you all...I hope so...well I'm back and creating after my little break, did you miss me...bet you didn't even notice I wasn't posting lol...we had a lovely Christmas quiet and just the four of us but I thought for a few minuets on Christmas morning we were going to spend the day in casualty...we (me and Phil) were standing in the kitchen and heard this massive thud, Phil looked out the window and yelled 'omg shes fallen'...our Daughter who was on the deck with her cat had slipped and fallen, her other half was white with shock as her long hair came forward and she had landed so close to a wooden bench her hair was resting on it, he thought she had smashed her face into the bench, well we all did...phew luckily though the only real things besides from a few bruises and scrapes was a very very dirty pair of new Christmas pj's which were easily sorted out...well it certainly made sure we were all awake anyway but for a second or two I could have burst into tears just at the thought of what it could have been like...shes terrible for breaking bones she has already had two broken wrists and a broken nose so like her Mum just a tad accident prone lol...everything else went without a hitch and my Sister and her lovely family, Dad, Daughter and her other half and us all spent the day after boxing day together...loved it and I might have just gone over the top a tad on the food front though...well I'm a Mum and its in my genes to feed isn't it lol...right now my first card since the holidays and I'm sorry but the Christmas aren't over just yet, I love making them don't you and who can blame me with a cutie like this to colour...this fabulous little scene stamp is from the Mulberry Wood collection and is called Merry & Bright...how cute is that elephant...I used my usual distress inks and some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust the lush paper is Magnolia Holly Script 12" x 12" Paper backed with some plain red cardstock and I finished with a tag cut from the the name strip of the paper and some lush green ribbon, everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and loads on sale too...the fab sketch is from Stampin' Royalty challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Cute Card Thursday challenge too...well I'm off to hit the Next sale today to spend some gift cards I got in my stocking...wish me luck, I hate sales but have to see whats on offer lol...whatever your up to today have a lovely day and I hope you find some bargains too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

shading in sky and elephant - pumice stone, spun sugar

snowflakes - stormy sky

trees - crushed olive, shabby shutters

mouse - antique linen, victorian velvet

envelope - antique linen

outfit and mouses scarf - barn door

From our Home to yours...

Good morning everyone are you all ready for the visit from Santa then?...we went to the supermarket yesterday and omg it was bedlam, there was even a huge traffic jam to get into the massive car park , they had actually run out of some foods would you believe...no tomato's, no lettuce, no prawns and loads of other things which meant we had to head to two others before we got everything we needed and we still had to buy pre packed and cut lettuce, not happy about that at all but needs must...we were so pleased to get home 7 hours after we left and were putting stuff away when I realised I had forgotten the soft fruit and white wine vinegar to make my pavlova....oh no please, not any more supermarkets ppppllllleeeaaaasssseeee....oh well a quick visit I guess, well as quick as it can be lol, this time I'm going to walk into town to go to a smaller one and leaving the car at home, its not worth putting poor Phil through the stress of traffic jams on his first day off work is it...today's card is my last until Saturday and is my way of sending all the

Joy and Happiness of the Season

from our home to your's, I hope you and those you love have the most amazing Christmas ever...I so wish I could send you all a card but this one will have to do to send you virtually...this image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, she is from one of my all time favourite Ragged range...shes the stunning Ragged Angel...I coloured her with distress inks and the amazingly soft and beautiful papers are from the Kaisercraft - Turtle Dove 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I cut an aperture for her to sit in to give her a bit more dimension and finished with a couple of Kars flowers and an amazing bow made from Cosmic Red/Silver Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me, this is so lush and so easy for bows as its stiffer than normal because of all the fab glitter in it...the sentiment tag is from the same pad I used...I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, One Stop Craft challenge, Glitter n Sparkle challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I will speak to you all on Saturday with loads of gossip about our Christmas...have an amazing time everyone and just think no more Christmas shopping for a year lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

clothes - antique linen, peeled paint, barn door

boots - frayed burlap

wounded...

Good morning everyone...right all together now aaaaaaaawwwwwwww, I'm a wounded soldier today my hand from the other day where I tried to break my fall is really sore and painful to move so I couldn't make a new card for today but you know me I cant go a whole day without a post can I lol... so I decided to show some of my favourite cards from 2012, I usually do this in the New Year but I have a few more to show then so here's some of them for now and the reasons why I like them,I hope I wont bore the pants of you all lol...if you want more info on them just click on the photo to go to the posts for them

The top one is one of the amazing Home Grown Sugar Nellie images, I simply love colouring these so one had to be in my tops list didn't it

 I adore all Mo's Digital Pencil images of course, this one is one of my all time fav's so it had to be included

this one simply because it was the very first shaker card I ever made and even if I say so myself I think I made a pretty good job of it

when I saw the Simply Adorables I fell in love with this cutie instantly and even better that the baby can be a girl or boy

I love the colours in this card, they work brilliantly together don't you think and I was quite chuffed with my apple colouring

and finally this stunning Crafts and Me digi...it just screams summer don't you think...love it

Ok now who's bored lol?...I'm hoping my hand is a bit better today as there's more food shopping to do...I will be back tomorrow with a normal post, a special card made just for you (thank goodness its already made)...so I will speak to you all then...whatever your up to today watch out for rampaging teenagers lol

Mina xxx

a few more sparkles...

Good morning everyone are you worn to a frazzle yet?...I headed off to Town yesterday armed with my lists to get 'finished'...big massive mistake I think everyone had the same idea it was so so busy and as well as all the shoppers the three local high schools finished early for the holidays so you can imagine the crowds...after about an hour I had eight bags and four rolls of wrapping paper (they are my just in case ones lol) so my arms, wrists and shoulders were full and I was beginning to feel like a donkey...I went into a smallish shop and this young fella was acting the idiot and knocked into so hard all my bags went and I went flying against a wall...every single shopper in the shop came to help, they picked all my bags up sorted me out and made sure I was ok, one burly man even put the young fella out of the shop...isn't it lovely that despite how busy people are and how stressed they are finding life they can stop for a second to help someone in need...it really warmed my heart to see all those people help...the Christmas spirit is alive and well I think don't you?...I was fine but honestly afterwards I could have sat down and cried dont know why though...right now onto my card for today how amazing is this fabulous Teddy Bo image I love these pencil sketch images don't you, they add real dimension...its called Bo and Bea Baubles , I used my usual distress inks and of course loads and loads and loads of glitter glue...I teamed it up with these stunning papers from the Echo Park-Winter Wishes pad, its from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but is out of stock atm and finished with a beautiful blue organza ribbon and bow and a button the gorgeous sketch is from the Sketch N Stash challenge, I'm also entering it for the Inky Impressions challenge and the Simon Says stamp challenge too...I'm staying in this morning would you believe poor Phil has to work but then he has Monday off instead so makes his holidays just a little longer I guess but I miss him when he works at weekends, hopefully he wont be too late though and he doesn't know yet as I didn't want to totally spoil his Saturday but we are heading food buying today lol...whatever your up to I hope its fun and festive

distress ink colours used

bears - mixture of antique linen, frayed burlap and pumice stone

Bo's outfit - stormy sky, tumbled glass

Bea's outfit - milled lavender, victorian velvet

baubles - tumbled glass, stormy sky, milled lavender, dusty concord, victorian velvet

the smell of Christmas...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy the blog hop yesterday...if you didn't join in follow the links below you don't want to miss out on the chance of winning a prize now do you...I went out with my lovely Dad yesterday afternoon, we ran a few errands then spent most of the afternoon wishing people Merry Christmas and kissing people, loved it and of course we had to have our usual coffee break, hes off to my Sisters for the holidays on Saturday but I will see him to celebrate a few days after when they all arrive at our house for a feast...love that day, everyone laughing and joking, playing games and eating...brilliant...last night my wonderful Phil made some mince pies with his own special orange flavoured pastry and wow they are scrummy, so lush you don't even need cream with them (of course I had to try a few, just for quality control you know lol)...the whole house is filled with the smell of Christmas and I can still smell them this morning, tonight is his cake night when he makes his massive, boozy, magnificent Christmas cake...it never last over the holidays though when everyone gets their hands on it lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts and Me called Merry Mindy...isn't she fab those eyes are so beautiful...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her and the Christmas baubles just for a bit more festivity...the lush papers are from the My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 Pad which is a massive 25% off at Bunny Zoe's Crafts atm, a real bargain...I finished with a lush green ribbon bow, a holly charm and a sentiment cut from the same pad...the fab sketch is from the Totally Papercrafts challenge and I'm also entering it for the Paper Pretties challenge and the Whimsy Stamps challenge too, Im sure there was a challenge for adding a charm but I cant remember where...I'm off out for some alone shopping (sssssshhhhh don't tell him but its for stocking fillers for Phil) and some lunch with our beautiful Daughter too...whatever your up to today I hope its fun and you have a brilliant time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

tree - shabby shutters, crushed olive

eyes - tumbled glass

baubles - stormy sky

tail - antique linen

outfit - barn door

shading on fur - pumice stone

can you get more CAS than this...

 Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week and are all ready for the big day...the fat man will soon be coming down our chimneys to leave all those goodies under the tree so you better get a wiggle on if your not ready, that includes me lol...I'm working on it though

welcome to the Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams Monthly Blog Hop...your should have arrived here from the amazing
DEBBIE'S
blog and if you want to join in from the beginning and why wouldn't you when you get the chance to win one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil just by leaving a comment on the DT's blog posts you need to pop on over to 

JANE

...this month our hostess with the mostest is our fabulous Jane of course and she chose CAS (yes I know don't all faint because there's no paper or ribbons today lol)...now I usually don't like making cas (clean and simple) cards but using this amazing Not Even A Mouse image made it so so easy...this stunner along with the poem I printed on my card are great for a cas layout don't you think...I coloured this stunner with my usual distress inks and I don't have any papers or anything else to talk about...I'm entering this for the Forever Friends challenge, Through the Craftroom door challenge and the A & T Emerald Faeries challenge and the next stop on the hop is the fab
POP'S
who I'm sure will have something stunning to show you...I'm off to get yet more shopping done today and to post some gifts off (hope I'm not too late gulp) whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and I hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas season and have fun...enjoy the rest of the hop and dont forget your comments for a chance to win
Mina xxx

altogether now.....Santa clause is coming to town...

Good morning everyone...bet your singing in your head now lol...isn't it amazing that when you get your head in the 'mode' you can get more done in one morning than you have in the month before...I got loads of the extras for Christmas done yesterday I was like a woman on a mission stotting from shop to shop, lists in hand ticking things off as I went and whoosh before you knew it finished what I had to do, I still have a bit to do but didn't have the lists with me lol, I'm one of those people that makes lists for everything or I would remember nothing at all...I kinda wished I had the rest with me I'm sure I would have got the whole lot finished...well we finally managed to get our Daughters car fixed it would have been cheaper to buy her a new one lol, well that's a bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean...we said we would get it fixed for her Christmas present as she needs her car but it seems strange just having little things to put under the tree for her...mind Phil says my idea of 'little things' and other peoples are totally different things and most people would call my 'little things' main presents...well shes our only child and is meant to be spoilt don't you think lol...right now onto my card for today and Santa has finally arrived, I just realised the other day I hadn't used a Santa image for a card this year, well that had to be rectified asap so here's the fabulous happy gorgeous Skating Santa...isn't he brilliant, look at that face...hes by Rick St Dennis...I coloured him with distress inks and glittered him up to within an inch of his life lol...the amazing papers are a sheet from Cosmo Cricket's Dear Mr Claus range and is called Santa's Letters...I love the stripe side combined with the ornaments side don't you...see this is why I love double sided papers they go together so well and you don't even have to think about it...I finished with a thin red ribbon and attached a ribbon bow to one of the baubles cut from the paper...I have no idea where the sketch is from I found it in an old notebook and liked it so used it, if anyone knows tell me so I can give them credit please...I'm entering this for The Pretty Little Ribbon challenge, House of Gilli challenge and the Sweet Stampin challenge too...I'm off to finish the rest of my lists today while I'm on a roll...whatever your up to today have a good one

Mina xxx
p.s. I just remembered the sketch is from Sunday Sketch & Stamp challenge

distress ink colours used

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

shading - pumice stone

boots, belt & gloves - black soot

suit and hat - fired brick

snowflakes and soup...

Good morning everyone are you all well?, there's a very nasty stomach bug going around and I hope you all manage to stay bug free over the holidays...I had a nice relaxing day yesterday so I'm much more chilled today and you will be happy to know rant free lol...I'm so sorry about the rant yesterday it isn't like me to get so angry as something like that but I hate bad manners and rudeness...a smile and a kind word costs nothing does it...oh and I made some of my 'world famous soup', our Daughter laughed when I said my Chicken and Vegetable soup was world famous but it is isn't it...people from all four corners have seen it on my blog so I'm just stretching the truth a little bit lol...I think Phil was quite shocked at how long it takes me to make it as hes usually at work but I'm off out today so wanted to get it done last night as everyone is coming to dinner, well I say everybody I mean my Dad, our Daughter and her other half, it takes me about 2-3 hours to prep all the veg and get it all cooked, get all the chicken cut up and add the finishing touches...Phil was going to sit with me in the kitchen and keep me company but he couldn't watch me using the huge razor sharp knife I use for chopping and watch the TV while I'm doing it, he said he was on edge, mind with how klutzy I am I can hardly blame him can you lol...anyway its finished is sssssooooooo tasty and I will get fresh crusty bread today for it...I love family meals together...right now onto my card for today which is using this fabulously cute stamp from Sugar Nellie, shes called Wish Upon A Star...shes out of stock atm but I'm sure she will be back in soon...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her up the fabulous papers are from my scraps box and I think they are from Craft Creations, they are perfect together aren't they and I love the candy cane striped one...I finished with a sentiment from my stash and a scattering of gorgeous floaty, glitzy snowflakes, I found these the other day when I was looking for ribbon and thought they matched this sweetie perfectly...the sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge (my favourite thing is my distress inks) and the Card Makin Mamas challenge too...right I'm off to get my lovely fresh crusty bread for dinner and post a few things...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - punice stone

jacket - shabby shutters

shoes - shabby shutters, pumice stone, fired brick

skirt - weathered wood & shabby shutters merged

box and stars- weathered wood, fired brick, peeled paint

shading - pumice stone

Joy is...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a brilliant weekend...we did a little more shopping and still haven't reached the end of the list but are getting there and I enjoyed matching the gift with the person so much...we then popped to the supermarket for something for dinner...omg you would think they were giving food away, so so many people and so angry and busy, my Dad was telling me about a man the other day who thought he was in his way, keep in mind my Dad walks with two crutches and is severely disable, who kicked my Dad in the shins to get him out of his way and when confronted he said 'you shouldn't have been in my way'?????, then a woman actually ran over Phil's feet with her trolley, no excuse me or apology or anything, no smiles, no festive spirit at all...whatever happened to the joy of the Christmas season, if they are feeling grumpy and angry they could just remember that there is a lot of people out there much worse off, remember all those poor families from the Connecticut elementary school shooting, the devastation, all those in pain from the loss is unimaginable... or they could try to look at Christmas through a child's eyes, remember the joy they feel at Christmas and be just a little thankful for the family and loved ones they have and the things they have to be joyful about...I actually came out of the supermarket feeling angry and annoyed at those people for making me feel that way...apologies for the rant but its over, phew breath Mina lol...right now onto a much calmer nicer subject...my card for today is using this beautiful little boy and his dog, look at the joy in his face...he is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called Baron and Butch...I coloured this sweetie with distress inks and matched him up with this lush paper from My Minds Eye Winter Wonderland range, its called Christmas Trees and aren't the colours just lush, I think this image makes a perfect Christmas card for my Nephew who is into games, x box etc don't you...I finished with a sentiment and a few scattered buttons...the fab sketch is from Sketch N Stash but I was too late to join in so I'm entering it for the Joanna Sheen challenge , Totally Gorjuss challenge and the Here Comes the Boys Challenge...I'm going to do some gift wrapping and parcel wrapping today and a little bit of crafting I think...whatever your up to today remember the joy of the Season please and smile at a stranger and wish them a Merry Christmas...you never know it might make someones day

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

jeans - stormy sky

sweater - iced spruce, shabby shutters

socks - pumice stone, shabby shutters

dog - pumice stone,antique linen

ball - shabby shutters

 Oops I nearly forgot didnt I...have my sleepy head on tonight but remembered in the nick of time...we have a winner of this months fabulous stamp set Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy... so drum roll everyone.... the winner is No57

and that is................

LADY BUG STAMPERS

huge congratulations, could you please email me your address and I will pass the details onto Nikki

dont worry if you didnt win this time there will be more candy very soon...speak to you all tomorrow sleep well

Mina xxx

the final decision was reached...

Good morning everyone, its ok you don't have to be quiet there's no hangovers here lol...we had a great night, nice meal and company but we didn't stay because it was a combined dinner with loads of other companies having their dinners too...some were getting a little...er....lets say merry...well drunk actually lol and a bit rowdy so we came home early...not really our kind of thing...such a shame that's others had to cut our night short but some people will use any excuse to get that drunk wont they...I had decided on the LBD but then while we were out yesterday I spotted a fab glitzy sparkly gold cardigan and a huge bargain so ended up wearing that, a cream silk vest and trousers and high heeled boots...smart and comfortable...well it was smart until I dripped gravy down the cream vest anyway lol...Phil looked lush in a charcoal coloured suit and a peach coloured shirt, he cleans up well lol, I love to see a man in a suit dont you...my lovely Dad is back from Belfast and we had a little jaunt out with him yesterday to get him some shopping and it was lovely to catch up with him but we didn't have much time and will get some serious coffee chat going on today instead...right now onto my card for today...I think my staz-on ink pad needs topped up as this little sweetie from Stampavie is looking a little faded isn't he...hes called Ruffles a Present for you - Helz Cuppleditch and all Stampavie stamps are a massive 40% off atm so a brilliant bargain too and of course you dont need to use him just for Christmas...I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced the parcel and ribbon with more of the lush Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Christmas Cottage I used for my card...I finished with a gorgeous wired Organza Ribbon - Dark Green (25mm Wide) made into a bow and a cute little button from my stash...everything except the button is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and Nikki has a fabulous Weekend Special this weekend with 15% off across the store so hop on over and grab yourself a bargain or two...the fab sketch is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Card Makin Mamas challenge and the Marianne's Design Divas challenge too...right I'm off to make some bacon sandwiches for breakfast...whatever your up to today have a wonderful one

Mina xxx
p.s. I will be back a little later with this months candy winner

distress ink colours used

dog - antique linen, frayed burlap

shading on box and ribbon - pumice stone

can you believe it...

Good morning everyone are you all well and busy this weekend...anything nice planned?...the heavens opened here yesterday so Dad decided to stay in Belfast for a while longer, plus my poor Sister was rear ended the other day when she was out shopping (her car not her of course) and I think she needs a bit of help with running around as her car will need fixed...good thing is no one was hurt just a few bumps and bruises, it could have been a lot worse, and the man who hit her admitted fault so it will all go through insurance...thank goodness...so I spent the day online shopping and crafting and doing a bit of tidying then when Phil got home from work we had to head to the supermarket then, I'm sure its not something you look forward too when your just in from work but it cant be helped, well he could always stop eating I suppose (yeah right lol)...we are meant to be heading for a car boot sale this morning but it depend if this rain ever stops as its tipping down and a bit miserable for walking round a boot sale, so fingers crossed...right now onto my card for today and yes your eyes don't deceive you its not a Christmas card, can you believe it...instead I used this little cutie stamp from Sugar Nellie, shes called Artist Betty, isn't she cute and perfect for a card for any little budding artist in your family...I coloured this cutie with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her little beret...the stunning papers are from the My Mind's Eye - A Happy Heart 6x6 Pad, lush colours aren't they, I bought this pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with some buttons, a distressed knotted ribbon and a distress flower...the fab sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge and I'm also entering it for the Bearly Mine Challenge (new thing is the stamp) and the Inky Impressions challenge (my old thing is the pad which I bought about 6 months ago)...right that's me for today I'm off to get the war paint on and make a final decision as to what to wear for Phil Christmas dinner tonight...wish me luck I need it 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

outfit - antique linen, victorian velevte

boots - spun sugar, victorian velvet

artists pallet - pumice stone, spun sugar, vitorian velvet, 

scattered straw, antique linen, fired brick

chilly love...

Good morning everyone, I'm bright and early and on time today...thank you all so much for your comments yesterday they meant a lot to me and helped me get through a really difficult day...I spent the day cutting out papers and trying to colour, although even my colouring seems to have gone to pot lately...but its the same every year at this time so hopefully it will be in full swing next week...I was sitting quietly cutting out yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden there was a huge roaring noise...someone a few doors away had decided to get a motorbike out of his garage and was sitting revving it for no reason I could see...why on earth do people who own motorbikes sitting reving them, if any of you have them or knows someone with one could you ask me please I'm dying to know...I asked Phil but he says he doesn't know and maybe they just like the noise it makes lol...seems weird that a fully grown man would just sit there with no intention of riding off into the sunset and rev just because he likes the noise doesn't it lol...right now onto my card for today...how sweet and cute is this Pink Cat Studio stamp...its called Penguin Kisses (now what else could it be called)...it comes on a set with the mistletoe and a sentiment separate so is a good bargain...I coloured these two cuties with distress inks and glittered it up to add a bit of frosting...the lush paper is a Magnolia paper called Magnolia on Christmas Day...isn't it a lovely soft muted colour and the writing is perfect with this image...I finished my card with a huge wide pink ribbon (this is gift wrapping ribbon on a roll) and a Prima Flowers Primmers - Bleached White flower, everything I used except for the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the stamp and paper are on sale atm...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Emerald Faeries challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge...its supermarket shopping day today, well that's if my lovely Dad is back from his trip to Belfast that is...if not then it might be another crafting day...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx
p.s. today is the last day to join in with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy so if you havent already the link is at the top of the sidebar, just click on the photo

 

A message from Phil...

Good morning everyone ...again.... are you all well and having fun with Christmas yet, or is the stress getting to you?...Yes finally I have managed to upload some photos I wanted to show you today, today is a very hard day for me its the anniversary of my Mums death and I always find it a bit hard to create for today so thought you wouldnt mind Phil message and our tree photos instead...as my Mum had a super wicked sense of humour Im sure she would love this photo of Phil...he said he wanted to send you all Christmas wishes and I was to apologise for his lack of velvet jacket and cravat but they were in the wash lol...the photo below is of our living room Christmas tree, please note we still dont have curtains yet....ooohhhh we so need to get our fingers out after Christmas and get the house finished...not too much waffling today and I will leave you in peace to enjoy your day

Mina xxx

lost it again...

Good morning everyone...I have lost my internet connection yet again and when I have it I cant download any photos...so I will be back a little later when hopefully it will be fixed...of not heads will roll lol

Mina xxx

Magical...

Good morning everyone, wow winter has set in with a vengeance and every morning everything is covered in a dusting of thick frost and ice...freezing cold too...its tuned into a real winter wonderland, very beautiful well until you go out in it then you just wish it would go away lol...I caught up with loads of stuff yesterday, things for Christmas and everyday things too...but I still haven't caught up 'sigh' will I ever I ask myself...oh btw I have some photos to show you tomorrow of the other tree and the fireplace looking all festive including one that Phil had to get in on...I'm heading out with our Daughter today, it happens rarely because of work and life things but I love it when it does, we have decided to get on a train and go a bit further afield than we normally do...her poor little car is still not fixed and need a new alternator???...don't ask lol...apparently it has something to do with the power steering but fingers crossed it will be all fixed before Christmas...I must remember to wear my sneakers as my feet are usually aching when I'm out with her and it will be an even longer day getting the train...I'm so looking forward to it...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me challenge this time the theme is Why So Blue, so anything goes as long as there's no blue in it...this wonderful image is from the brand new Art Deco collection at Crafts & Me and is called Art Deco Geraldine...shes fantastic isn't she and so so easy to colour, so if your in need of a fast card anytime you know what to use...the amazing paper is velvet embossed (the photos don't do it justice) and so beautiful and rich feeling, I'm so sorry but I have no idea who its by but will see if I can find the info strip I think I have it stashed in my paper drawer, I finished with a few pearls and a wow ribbon bow, the ribbon is a fab deep purple colour and matches the paper perfectly...I made the sketch up as I made the card and I'm entering this for the Paper Makeup stamps challenge, Lady Anne's Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...right I'm off to find my sneakers and put the war paint on...whatever your up to today have a brilliant frost free one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

dress - pumice stone, milled lavender, spun sugar

glitter glue for feathers and lower part of dress

OOOOOHHHHHHH THE FIRST ONE EVER...

Sale news for you...the first ever Mo's Digital Pencil sale...wow how fab is that...you get a whacking 25% of your Total Order just add code CHEERS2U at checkout...so hurry on over and pick up a bargain or two or three....or more

Mina xxx

p.s. have you seen the new Birthday cuties

see the world through rose tinted spectacles...*UPDATED PHOTOS*

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...apologies for the photo for today's card, there's certain times of the day when the sun shines directly into my craft room and if I take photos at that time the pink from the wall (yes I still haven't decorated) reflects onto the photos its like looking at the world through rose coloured spectacles...I didn't notice until last night when I got my image ready for posting that it had this pink tinge to it (although the paper is lilac so that doesn't help either), I will take some more today when the light is better...I had a little mooch in the town after my hair cut yesterday, I still haven't got anything to wear for Phil's Christmas works party yet and am getting a little desperate...I was chatting to a shop assistant in town yesterday and she asked me if I have a LBD (little black dress) I should glitz up a bit with accessories...so when I got home I looked in my wardrobe, would you believe I found 3 lol...and even more shocking is two still had the labels on...how bad is that...so maybe some glitzy jewellery and I will be sorted, well that's the plan anyway...right now onto my pink tinged card for today...this amazingly beautiful image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...stunning isn't it...its called With The Baby and I coloured it with distress inks...the equally stunning paper is from the Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams 2011 collection and is called Vintage Holly, I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts last year...I added a bit of very pale lilac glitterboard to the design too just to add a bit more glitz and finished with a stunning sheer organza ribbon bow and a punched glitterboard snowflake...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the No Matter which challenge and The Ribbon Girl challenge too...I'm having a day in today and catching up with some DT work and hopefully retaking this photo...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and whatever your doing I hope you have a day seeing through rose coloured specs lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfits - milled lavender, pumice stone, seedless preserves

baby its cold outside...

Good morning everyone did you have a nice weekend...all your shopping finished and the cards written and posted too I bet lol...hope your not as disorganised as me, I don't know whats up with me this Christmas but I usually have everything done by now and I'm the person people are jealous off and am so organised it makes you sick, but not this year...I need to catch up and get things done don't I...I blame Phil you know, hes a distraction and makes me go out and enjoy myself when I really should be home wrapping and making cards...well I'm sticking to that reason anyway lol...we headed out yesterday and wow Londonderry was busy...now considering the shops don't open until 1pm we were there at 1.15pm and all the car parks were bursting at the seams...we were getting dizzy going round and round the multistory but we finally got one and headed for the Continental market there grabbed a bite to eat and hit the shops...did we get the rest of our present...er...nope...but Phil bought me a fabulously mumfy fair isle sweater...lush pink and so so cosy (btw if you don't know what mumfy means, its the sort of feeling you get when you put your lovely warm fleece jimjams on)...its my Christmas after lunch, dessert and game sweater when everyone is cosy, full and ready for some TV and a snooze...that's the perfect mumfy moment oh and we bought some food from M&S Christmas range, just to try of course lol and we had to make a detour to the chemist as our beautiful Daughter has got conjunctivitis in one of her eye...yuck poor thing but hopefully the ointment we got will sort her out ...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly challenge, the theme this month was chosen by our lovely Silvie (wow wow wow wait until you see her make for the challenge its amazing) and she chose Celebration...so anything to celebrate something in fact...I chose to celebrate Winter in my card and used this gorgeous C.C. Designs Mashi's Muffins Baby It's Cold Outside  stamp for mine, isn't she fab, I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used this beautiful Magnolia Winter Night 12" x 12" Paper with her, I ripped the bottom to make it look like she was standing on snow, I finished with a yummy grey gingham ribbon from my stash, a scattering of gems from the Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm and glittered her up with my usual Stickles glitter Glue - Star Dust, everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts ...I made the sketch up as I went along and am entering this for the Totally Gorjuss challenge, {PIN}spirational challenge and the Stampin' for the Weekend challenge too...I'm off to get my hair cut today and then a little mooch around the craft shop I think...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope you manage to get the things you need done

Mina xxx 

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfit - tumbled glass, pumice stone, milled lavender

boots - tumbled glass

eyes - tumbled glass

never trust a man with the remote ...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic day yesterday?...we went to the market but it was hardly worth it, just a measly half dozen or so stalls but we did manage to get some of our precious smoked garlic bulbs yum yum yum they are amazing in pasta sauce especially the seafood one I make and the mushroom and bacon one (can you tell we love pasta lol)...we went for lunch and treat ourselves to a yummy ulster fry, gorgeous but heartburn city for the rest of the afternoon though, so after our trip to get indigestion tablets for melol we had a little mooch around the shops and then off to meet my Dad for coffee and to buy him some new Christmas lights for his house as his have broken...then home to vegetate in front of the telly for the rest of the night, oh except for Phil making a Dundee cake for my Dad, he loves them and the store bought ones don't cut it for him anymore, so Phil makes him one every year and boy did it smell amazing...Phil switched the tv over to some rubbish new version of Predator last night then after about 40 minuets watching it he fell asleep would you believe don't you hate it when they do that, never give a man the remote he abuses the trust lol...I'm in charge of it from now on I think...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning digi from Crafts and Me...isn't she beautiful, shes called Gift of Winter and I coloured her with distress inks...wow isn't this Basicgrey papercombo just lush, its from their Nordic Holiday collection and is called Lift Ticket...I love the rich colours and all those flowers to cut out too, which is what I did, well it would have been a waste not too wouldn't it...I finished with the cut flowers and a huge green bow...I'm entering this for the BasicGrey Challenge, Sweet 'n' Sassy challenge and the Fussy and Fancy challenge too...we are heading to Londonderry today which is our closest big city, well when I say big I mean as big as they get here lol...whatever your up to today have fun and remember to keep the remote away from the men in your life it makes them fall asleep

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, freayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

dress, headress - pumice stone, peeled paint, barn door, glitter glue

tights - pumice stone, peeled paint