Happy Easter...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a wonderful Easter break...no card from me today as Im having a day off to spend with my lovely family...I just wanted to pop on and wish you all a wonderfully Happy Easter, I hope whatever your up to today your lucky enough to spend it with people you love,,,speak to you all tomorrow

Mina xxx

sometimes you dont need a lot...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a fantastic Easter break isn't the extra long weekend brilliant...are you doing anything exciting with your holidays?...Phil's away motor bike marshaling today so I have a whole day uninterrupted crafting ahead...its seems ages since I was in my craft room but its only been a few days really anyway I'm so looking forward to bit of cutting and colouring...we had a super quiet day today except for a visit to a DIY store to pick up some wood to mend one of the chairs on our garden set which seems to have had a bit of the front disappear for some strange reason, it probably got left in the move we think...but Phil is going to put his diy skills to use and mend it and its a lot cheaper than buying a new teak chair with arms, they weigh a ton too so don't fancy trying to load one in the car to bring home...right now onto my card for today which just goes to show you don't need a lot of colouring to make a pretty card doesn't it?...the image is from Janey's Digi Designs...I love the simplicity of this image don't you, its called Icelandic Poppy Seed Head...I just added a little bit of colour and some shading with my distress inks and included a sentiment by Keats when I was printing it, I thought it went brilliantly with the image, btw Janey is having a sale atm at Janeys Digi Designs, there's 20% just by entering the code EASTER20 at the checkout...the stunning embossed and flowered papers are from the Kaisercraft The Lakehouse paper pad I bought ages ago from Bunny Zoe's crafts...I'm gutted that these are the last few sheets from it and its out of stock but there's loads of new ones I will have to buy I think...I finished with a lush organza bow and a button...no matter how hard I have tried I cant find where this sketch is from but if any of you know leave me a comment so I can put a link in for it...anyway I'm entering this for the One Stitch at a Time challenge, Paper Crafting Journey challenge and the Craft Room Challenge too...I'm off to my lovely untidy craft room now for a lock in...whatever your up to today have fun
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

poppy head - scattered straw, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

bear hugs and a giggle...

Good morning everyone thank you all loads and massive hugs for all our anniversary wishes, your such a lovely load of crafters...I think its brilliant how nice crafters are don't you, they always want to wish you well and join in good causes and they love to see people get on or win challenges etc...I think its all that colouring in it chills us out and makes us better human beings lol...we had a lovely day yesterday did a bit of shopping (still no present for each other yet but it somehow doesn't seem important if you know what I mean) then we took a drive along the north coast, stunningly beautiful but it was blowing a bloody gale so we didn't venture out of the car...then out to lunch...home for a little relax and a chinese last night...a wonderful chilling out day...when Phil worked away we never seemed to get the chance to spend important days like anniversary's and birthdays together so we aren't bothered about what we do or even gifts this time we are just enjoying spending it together...oooohhhh I know I'm getting soppy so will get on with my card for today I think before the soppyness get sickly lol...I used a beautiful Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts & Me called Natsumi...don't you just love that cute little panda...like all Hannah Lynn images shes a dream to colour and I used my usual distress inks for her...the lush papers are from the Teresa Collins Design Now & Then paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm as I bought this ages ago...I finished with a white Prima flower, a white satin bow, a pretty strip of lace and a Giggle sentiment from my stash...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and The Crazy Challenge...we are heading out today and might go a bit further afield or even go visiting...whatever your up to today have a fantastic Easter Friday
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

eyes - peeled paint

outfit, wings and flower - shabby shutters, victorian velvet

leaves - crushed olive, shabby shutters

bear - punice stone, black soot

shading - pumice stone

Happy Anniversary to us...

Good morning everyone...ok lets hear you all together now...Happy Anniversary to us...wow 37 years together that is an amazing achievement isn't it...I have known Phil since I was 15 years old and he used to come to meet me from school, cute eh lol...we then split up and met again when I was 19 and married a year later...I can hear all your minds adding up the years to find out my age lol...I got the largest bunch of pink and red roses with freesias (my favourite flowers) last night...in fact it was so big I had to use two vases...so beautiful and adds a wonderful bit of colour on these grey days too...what have I bought Phil I hear you ask...er...nothing...well not yet anyway I haven't a clue what to get him so will just take him shopping instead...men are so so heard to buy for don't you think...oh a bit of useless information for you today I found out yesterday this March has been the coldest on record for 50 years...I totally agree lol...right now for my card for today these papers are such amazing colours I couldn't resist using them together for this stunning Saturated canary stamp...I have only ever used their digis before but was super impressed with this stamp, its crisp and clear but probably would have stamped darker if I had reinked my stamp pad as its drying out...this is the fab Walkie coloured with my distress inks...I used the stunningly coloured papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux, I love these colours together don't you...I finished my card with a black satin bow, a stunning charm which I added some of the black patterned paper too and a butterfly charm...the papers and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and The Paper Shelter challenge too...right I'm off to get my war paint on to head out shopping and for lunch...whatever your up to today I hope you have a lovely one and manage to spend some time with someone you love
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - peeled paint

hair - black soot

jeans - mix of tumbled glass & stormy sky

shoes - shabby shutters

can & t shirt - pumice stone, shabby shutters

lips & hearts - barn door

oh some fantastic sale news for an Easter treat for you too today...pop on over to Bunny Zoe's crafts for 10% off across the store...little hint have a look at the new Magnolia stamps and papers its a beautiful collection and I have the feeling it wont last long

anything to mend?...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a great week...well my lovely Dad is off on his travels, hes off to my little Sisters in Belfast for a couple of days and then to England for Birthday celebration no 2...at this rate he will have more birthdays than the Queen lol...its our wedding anniversary this week and Phil has taken a week off work so we can spend it together (can I hear everyone go aaaaaawwwwwww lol)...I'm not sure what we will be doing but at least we have a week to catch up with things in the house and do some travelling around visiting places we have said we would, I just wish the weather was a bit nicer, oh well the picnics will have to go on hold anyway, unless we want to freeze our butts off on the frozen ground that is lol...I have the cutest sweetest Mo's Digital Pencil cutie to show you today...how beautiful is Fairy Needle?...I really enjoyed colouring this sweetie with my distress inks and used some of the beautiful papers from the Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts a while back so its out of stock atm...I added a pink ribbon bow, a flower charm and a pink twine threaded sentiment charm to finish...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Love to Create Challenge and the Craft Your Passion Challenge too...we are off to get food shopping out of the way today so we can head out if and when we want too...lets get all the everyday things done today Phil suggested...he has good ones now and again doesn't he lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a great day and manage to get out and about

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit and wing - spun sugar, victorian velvet

thread - peeled paint

needle and shading - pumice stone

is it a bird...is it a plane...

Good morning everyone...no its the sun, yes we had sun yesterday I almost didn't recognise lol...big huge success for the dinner last night and because my lovely Dad is heading off on his travels for Birthday no 2 we even exchanged Easter eggs...I bought my Dad a Caramel egg as that's his favourite sweets...of course even though our Daughter and her other half are 28 and 32 they got chocolate Easter eggs too...oh and one for Phil too...in fact I'm the only one who didn't get one...now that doesn't seem right does it there's something amiss there lol...I had a little colouring play after I had finished preparing dinner yesterday and had one of those days...you know the sort...no matter what I coloured or how I coloured it, it just wasn't right...too bright, too faint and then some that were well, just rubbish...so I just coloured today's and didn't do anymore I think colouring days like that shouldn't be dwelt on and the paint brushes should be put aside for a better day when the hands and brush work in unison don't you...anyway onto the card I did manage to use...this fabulous stamp (which I didn't do justice too) is a stunning Leanne Ellis stamp from Sugar Nellie called Day Dreamer...I think I will have to have another play with this one...anyway I coloured her with distress inks and I don't know if it was the suns influence or wishing thinking for spring, I used these amazingly colourful papers from the Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card...lush colour combo isn't it, I must use this again...I finished with a fab green ribbon and bow, a sparkly letter sentiment and a gorgeous Prima flower from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the House of Gilli Challenge and No Matter Which Challenges too...I'm in two minds today...either a cleaning day (the sun showed up the dust too much lol) or another try at colouring day...hhhhmmmmmm I wonder which I will pick...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines a little on you and you don't get that horrible cold white stuff on you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - stormy sky, scattered straw

flower - scattered straw, shabby shutters

birds - scattered straw, stormy sky, shabby shutters

window - shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

at last...

Good morning everyone at long last I can post again...I don't know if it was blogger or my connection but I could hardly get online yesterday and when I finally did about 7.30pm blogger wouldn't let me download anything...I have a sneaky suspicion that it may have had something with the work being done to the electricity connections as there are still thousands of homes with energy here still and our light kept flickering...but never mind what it was I'm back online now...amazing how much you get used to doing something isn't it...I spent most of yesterday double checking things because I was sure I had forgotten something...er....yes a post lol...Phil had to go into work yesterday and my Dad popped down for a cuppa...Dad hardly ever just pops in but we sat chatting about everything and anything...I had forgotten how easy conversations used to be before his hearing went and now its back its amazing...I'm loving it so much and he seems to want to be out and about and to speak to as many people as he can...he loves how he can now hold a real conversation with someone and has spoke to everyone he has seen since Friday...it has made so much difference to his life...in fact so much difference to us all...thank you all so so much for your wonderful comments about my Dad, he is so special and I'm so pleased I manage to show that to you all...right now onto my card for today which should have been yesterdays really but better late than never...how amazingly stunning is the dress and mask on this stunning Make it Crafty digi...she is called Christine Soprano and is wonderful to colour...I really enjoyed sitting down and colouring her with my distress inks...I teamed her up with some beautiful springlike papers from the Prima 6x6 - Tea Thyme paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but it was ages ago and its out of stock atm...I finished with some more of these addictive butterflies from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack which is also from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I don't seem to be able to stop using them as they go with loads of papers and there are lots of colours in each pack...of course the gems add a little bit of sparkle don't they and you cant beat a bit of bling can you...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge, Sweet Stampin' Challenge and the Challenge 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm cooking dinner for everyone tonight...way to go my little girl...so will be making a cottage pie and cheesecake one of our families favourite meals, I hope my lovely Dad wont find it too loud as all the chatter can get a bit over zealous lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and wherever you are I hope it doesn't snow for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

eyes - crushed olive

dress & mask- tattered rose, crushed olive

shading - pumice stone

tears of joy...

Good morning everyone...oh no the return of the snow demon has arrived here...would you believe  it caused over 250,000 houses to be without electricity in Northern Ireland...just what you need with sub zero temperatures isn't it, to not be able to put your heating on...but despite the shivering snow we headed off to get my Dads hearing aids...the audiologist is lovely...she is not only so patient and spent time explaining everything in detail buts shes beautiful too...long dark hair and stunning eyes...yes I know makes you sick doesn't it lol, shes totally smitten with my Dad too and seemed as thrilled as us about him being able to hear again...all the preliminary tests done she switched my Dads aids on...his face was such a picture as soon as she spoke to him...he turned to me and said 'omg I can hear'...well being the soppy bugger I am the tears just sprung up...I will never ever forget that look of joy on his face ever...he was so excited to be able to turn his back on us and still hear what we said and thats at the lowest setting there's another four levels he can go to...we took him for coffee after we were finished and to see him looking around hearing sounds coming from here and there and him turning his head to see where they came from was amazing...the girl behind the counter emptied the grounds from the machine and he nearly jumped out of his skin lol...the most amazing thing was when I got home though...he rang me...now phone calls have been pretty frustrating over the last few years and were shouting matches really for us to be heard...I sat on the phone for ten minutes to him chatting away at a normal level and he heard every single word and he was super chuffed that he could watch the tv without needing subtitles...isn't technology amazing to give so much back to someone you love...I have my Dads Birthday card to show you today...maybe not the best card I have ever made but I made it with him in mind...he loves blue so it had to have blue and hes not really bowled over by coloured images so I kept it pretty simple and let the My Mind's Eye-Oliver 6x6 papers shine instead, I bought this from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...right I'm off out to test more hearing things for my Dad today...cant wait...whatever your up to have a fantastic one

Mina xxx

daft as a brush...

Good morning everyone have you ever had one of those weeks when everything you do just makes you feel dafter and dafter?...I'm having one of those, first there was the blue streak at the doctors, then we were going to the chiropodist for my Dads appointment on Wednesday and neither of us could remember if the appointment was for 2.50pm or 3.10pm so I rang to check only to be told it was in fact for 2.50pm....on Tuesday...well duh how daft is that...then I got the dinner ready on Thursday settled down to catch up with some emails and an hour later was sitting wondering why no smell...I forgot to put it in the oven didnt I...I think there's weeks when you really shouldn't get out of bed don't you and they should definitely be forgotten lol...right now onto my card for today which is using one of the new Little Easter collection from Magnolia...this is the cute Happy Easter Tilda...I'm sorry though shes out of stock atm but there are some of the others from the same collection available...I coloured Tilda with distress inks and used some of the lush papers from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad...I love this pad and only have a couple of sheets left in it...I will be sad when its all used...I finished with a big ruffled satin ribbon bow and a few scattered butterflies from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack, they are so cute with their gem centres aren't they...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch I used is from the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge, I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Stamp & Create with Magnolia Challenge too...its Ears day today...yes the day is here at long last to go get my lovely Dads hearing aids fitted...I cant wait I'm ssssoooooo excited and if I'm like this my Dad must be whooping with joy although you wouldn't think so he was kinda chilled out at the supermarket yesterday...but then men don't get as excited about things as we do, do they...I will let you know how he gets on tomorrow and don't worry I have double checked his appointment card for date and time lol...whatever your up to today I hope your doing something as exciting as us

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

outfit - stormy sky, scattered straw, antique linen

shading - pumice stone

its hop time...

Good morning everyone its that time again...time for you to get a chance to win one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil by joining in with our Dreamteams Blog Hop this month again...all you need to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on all the blogs along the way...you should have arrived here from the fabulous 

ALICE

but if you didn't pop on over to our wonderful Heidy's blog to start at the beginning...Heidy is our host this month and she chose the theme of Gingham or Plaid...well I didn't need telling twice any excuse to use gingham, I love it

I used this amazingly cute Easter Baby Girl S for my card...isn't she just so adorable with her cuddly bunny and shes perfect for an Easter card for a little girl...I coloured her with distress inks and used some scrap of paper from the Graphic 45 An ABC Primer collection...the gingham is some of the Games & Playtime sheet and the spotted is from a Jumping Joan sheet...I loved the aged red and thought it gave an unusual touch for an Easter card don't you...I finished with a red gingham ribbon aged with antique linen distress ink and some letters from a sticky sheet for my sentiment...the next stop on our hop is the lovely

POPS

who I'm sure will have something gorgeous to show you...the fab sketch I used for my card is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Craft Challenges2 and the Papertake Weekly Challenge too...enjoy the rest of the hop everyone and don't forget your comments for a chance to win

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - antique linen, barn door, pumice stone

bunny - pumice stone, spun sugar, victorian velvet

basket - frayed burlap, antique linen, barn door

shading - pumice stone

revenge of the ink...

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...good I hope...well I got myself all ready and make up on for the doctors but had an hour to spare so decided to pop into my craft room for a little painting therapy to keep my white coat syndrome in check lol...then off I popped to visit the vampires...oops sorry I mean nurse, blood taken, quick visit to the shops to get some groceries then headed home...when I was heading in I caught sight of myself in the mirror and realised I had a big streak of blue ink down my bottom cheek onto my neck...now seriously my Dad, the receptionist, check out girl and nurse all spoke to me, chatted and not one of them mentioned it lol...either they didn't notice or thought it was part of my makeup...but the freakiest thing is this is the card I coloured...do you notice any blue on it??????...so where on earth did it come from...those inks are so sneaky lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge, this weeks theme is Buttons & Bows (you must use both)....well how hard was it for me to use buttons and bows, I usually use at least one of them every day don't I...I used this beautiful Hannah Lynn digi called Cheshire Cat that will be released on Crafts & Me on April 1st...fab isn't she...I used my distress inks and  kept her face more cat like so didn't do skin tones this time on her...these fantastic papers are a double sided sheet of Graphic45 paper from their Communique Collection called Communique...I love the vintage look of it don't you...I finished with a sentiment strip from the paper, two different ribbon bows and a scattering or two of buttons to match...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Love to Create Challenge, Anything Goes Challenge and the Bearly-Mine Challenge too...I'm off our to the chiropodist with my lovely Dad this afternoon but a bit of crafting this morning...don't worry I will give myself a good scan in the mirror before leaving this time lol...have a fab streak free day today and when you have time pop on over to the Crafts & Me Challenge blog to see what the rest of our amazing digi team came up with this time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, spun sugar

hair - tea dye

eyes - frayed burlap

outfit and bows - barn door

shading - frayed burlap

too much excitment before bed...

Good morning everyone hows the weather where you are...its still freezing cold here and we even had a few flakes of snow yesterday between it piddling down most of the time that is...oh please let the spring come soon I'm dying to be able to sit on the deck on my newly painted garden furniture, although I'm not quite sure about the colour, its a lovely shade of muted sage green but with the blue fence (a gift from the last people lol) it just doesn't look just right if you know what I mean...you know whats going to happen don't you...yep one of them is going to have to be painted isn't it...I thinking Phil is hoping its not the fence bless him lol....ooohhhh bit of excitement last night, I was sitting quite late watching the tv after Phil had gone to bed and heard a loud bang looked outside (cause I'm a bit nosey lol)  and there was a man hurrying down the street after parking his car about four doors up from our house...so I sat down again thinking nothing of it...ten minuets later I heard a really loud bang like a small explosion and looked outside again to see the car on fire and flames licking out of it...the panic that rises in your chest when something like that happens is terrible I had to stop myself running up to it to see if anyone was inside but I rang the police and fire brigade...the fire out the police didn't come near me despite me telling the 999 operator that I saw someone leaving the car...oh well I'm sure they will come to the house if they need to, it a very strange thing to happen on a quiet street like ours isn't it...there's nothing like something like that happening to make sure you don't get to sleep at all is there lol...right now onto my card for today its using another of the Bags of Fashion stamps release from Sugar Nellie, this is the fabulous Morgan, I cant choose which of these I like the best though...its a good thing I have them all isn't it lol...I coloured her with distress inks and used some lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some buttons and two types of ribbon from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the No Matter Which Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off for more tests at the Docs today...I think they are running a secret blood bank from there you know lol...whatever your up to today I hope your afternoon is nicer than mine and you dont need to go see the vampires too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin -antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - frayed burlap

scarf - bundled sage, spiced marmalade

dress - bundled sage, antique linen

bag - spiced marmalade, bundled sage

boots - bundled sage

Dream...

Good morning everyone did you all have a wonderful weekend?...we had the quietest of days yesterday and Phil even enjoyed painting and repairing some garden furniture while I did a bit of research for my lovely Dads break away...I forgot to tell you where we are going didn't I...well we are going to a lovely little cottage at the foot of a mountain and on the edge of a loch in County Mayo...its only just over 100 miles from where we live but we didn't want to make my Dad sit for too long travelling, it can make you kinda stiff sitting in a car so we plan to stop a couple of times on the way down too...I have a list of things to see and do, I thought it would be quite hard to find loads to do with someone in a wheelchair (hes fine walking with crutches but not long distance or for a long time) but it was easy most places are set up for the disabled now aren't they...thank goodness...so plans made, cottage booked and paid for all systems go...it doesn't seem a lot to get him for his 80th but we will do our best to make it an unforgettable trip for him...right now onto my card for today...I fell in love with this Sassy Cheryl cutie when I saw her and had to buy her...shes called A No.2 Pencil & a dream...fab isn't she, I love how the pencil line trails to the message...I coloured her with distress inks and used some of the stunning Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card...I love the muted colours in this pad, all the embellishments like the clock and the scalloped strip under the ribbon are from the same pad too...oh btw I just announced the new Guest DT members on the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog too...I finished with a lush organza ribbon and a few pins...the fab sketch is from the Sunday Sketch & Stamp challenge (turned on its side though) and I'm also entering it for the Marianne's Design Divas challenge and the Sassy Cheryl's digi challenge too...we are off out today as Phil is off work for St Patrick's Day...I haven't a clue where we are going or what we will do but we are going out anyway...see now that's organised lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a good one for you

Mina xxx

a spring flower...

Good morning everyone how was your Saturday?...we went to collect my Dads glasses and very handsome he is in them too, I managed to convince him to get some lush blue metallic frames, modern but he really suits them... then we popped to the supermarket for milk and a newspaper for him and we were sitting in the cafe having coffee and I looked over to our trolley and there were two young lads leaning over our trolley reading his paper, they had it taken to bits too so they could share it...how cheeky is that, mind I made them jump out of their skin when I shouted 'what do you think your doing...one of the cheeky replies 'we didn't know it was your trolly'...my reply 'well you certainly knew it wasn't yours...wheres your parents?'...they ran off with me wandering after them looking for parents...I couldn't find them, so settled down to my coffee again...I spotted them when we were leaving with a Mum in tow and headed towards them...you have never seen two young fellas move so fast with a trolley in your life, I couldn't get to them in time lol...seriously though do some parents not teach their children any manners at all and why oh why are they allowed to wander around by themselves, the youngest must have been about 9 and the eldest 12 at the most...don't these parents read the news and how easy children are lifted from public places, never mind the point that they should be supervising them maybe its just me that even the thought makes me scared and I would never let my Daughter out of my sight when we were outside...ok rant over lol...my card for today is to remind us that spring will eventually make it here and is using this cutie Bildmalarna stamp called LWF My Flower...how sweet is she holding her flower, I'm loving their new release...I teamed it up with some more of the stunning Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Divine, the stamp and papers are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a Happy Birthday ceramic sentiment and a gold bow to finish...the lush sketch is from Simon Says Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stampin' For The Weekend challenge and the Paper Creator's Crafts Challenge too...we are having a relaxing day today I think although I might just pop into town for a mooch later on...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and watch out for stray children lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - tattered rose, stormy sky, antique linen

flower - scattered straw, shabby shutters

wings - antique linen, tattered rose

shoes - tea dye, frayed burlap

bow - stormy sky

a breath of Summer...

Good morning everyone have you anything exciting planned...its that season again the motor bike racing has started and Phil is off on one of his marshaling expeditions, I don't mind though at least I get to see him all week now hes home so don't begrudge him his days and weekends away in racing season at all...anyway I need to go to the opticians again with my Dad to pick up his new glasses...ooooohhhh I must admit I'm dead excited about him getting his hearing aids next week though after years of him not being able to hear properly it will take some getting used to for him...the audiologist is excellent though and has said it will only be half power first and will be switched up over some weeks because it would be a shock to his system all at once, I was quite relieved when she said that...its bound to be wonderful for him because it had to have been so frustrating for him...at least I have a card to show you today I just didn't have time yesterday as I had a lot of DT stuff to do...I used another of Janey's Digi Designs images for my card today...how lush is this Lupin, I love using Jane's images they always remind me of summer don't they?...I coloured it with distress inks and teamed it up with some lush papers from a My Minds eye 6x6 Honey Cake paper pad...fab colours aren't they and a great contrast with the blue I think...I finished my card with some gorgeous organza ribbon and bow and a few buttons from my stash...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Digi Darla's Challenge and the Cute Card Thursday challenge too...I'm off to make pasta sauce for tonight's dinner as I never know what time Phil will arrive home from the racing so its good to have something fast on the go then I need a couple of layers of the old war paint before heading out with my lovely Dad...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fun filled one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

flowers - stormy sky, tumbled glass

leaves and stems - shabby shutters, crushed olive

SALE NEWS...

Hi everyone no card today I'm super super busy with other stuff (tell you all about it tomorrow) and didn't have time to make anything but have popped on to tell you some sale news Nikki at Bunny Zoe's Crafts is giving 15% off Magnolia stamps this weekend so pop on over and fill your boots before they are gone...speak to you all tomorrow and I will have a card to show then too

Mina xxx

everyone loves roses...

Good morning everyone are you all managing to stay warm?...it was freezing cold here last night...oooohhhhhh will the weather ever get warmer winter this year seems to have lasted forever...my poor Dad is tuckered out after all his excitement over the weekend and last few days so stayed in yesterday and the workmen are changing all the pipes along the lane that runs beside our house and garden...goodness knows how long it will take them though as they don't seem to be in much of a hurry lol...I had a call from my Doctor last evening about 6pm saying the blood tests I had came back and a few of them had some problems so hes sending me for x rays, an ultrasound, I need more blood tests too....oooohhhhh brilliant more sky high blood pressure results lol...oh well these things are sent to try us aren't they and everything will be fine in the long run well as long as my head dosent explode from all that high BP that is lol...right now onto my card for today...whenever my mojo is struggling like it has been lately I always turn to Mo's Digital Pencil for the shot of inspiration I need and this stunning Mummu's Roses is perfect to colour, isn't she just wonderful and perfect for any Mums or older woman's cards...I coloured her with distress inks and added some papers from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Antique Aged Papers pack I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts to add some interest to the background but for a change I left a lot just white...I think it suits her don't you?...all I used to finish was a huge wide ribbon bow...I think this is the closest I manage to CAS lol...I didn't use a sketch of course but am entering it for the Creative Creations Challenge, Through the Craftroom Door Challenge and the Creative Card Crew Challenge too...its supermarket day today and I'm glad to be getting out of the house away from the digging and machinery noise from the lane to be honest...so the supermarket seems like a good idea for a change lol...oh and of course its 'put the world to rights coffee' afternoon too while we are there, well you need a treat after food shopping don't you...whatever your up to today have a nice warm snuggle one and stay warm

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

apron & slip - pumice stone

shoes - black soot

dress - stormy sky

roses - peeled paint, victorian velvet, barn door

wheelbarrow - frayed burlap

contents - spiced marmalade, scattered straw, barn door,

pumice stone, peeled paint

not just for Christmas...

Good morning everyone hands up everyone who is sick to death of this horrible weather...yep me too...don't you just hate it when your well laid plans go astray...plan was to take my lovely Dad out to lunch to give him his card and tell him we were all going out to dinner then a pipe died in the lane leading up to our garden and the water board decided yesterday was the day to investigate and dig it up so I had to stay in just in case they needed access to the house and garden (where there's three manholes) because they cant do it without someone being in, of course that was after the workmen had given the lane at least three coats of looking at...so plans were changed...by the way do you know how many men it takes to dig a tiny hole?...apparently seven...two to lean on brushes, four to watch the digger dig the hole and the digger driver lol...oh and to save the environment they all arrived in four vans and a lorry with a massive trailer too so not too much fuel used there lol...so the plans were kinda put on hold until we all went out to dinner, my Dad wearing his Birthday Boy badge, me and Phil, our beautiful Daughter and her other half...he thoroughly enjoyed himself, loved his birthday present (a trip to County Mayo staying in a beautiful little cottage in the mountains) and got a little embarrassed when the waitress brought out his cake complete with candles but giggled anyway lol...he had a fabulous evening though and is looking forward to going away next month...right now onto my card for today which just goes to show that you can use Christmas papers all year round...I used papers from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove paper pad I bought before Christmas from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card along with this super beautiful digi from Crafts and Me...shes a Hannah Lynn digi called Queen of Hearts...I coloured her with distress inks and finished with some lush glitzy Cosmic Red/Silver Glitter Ribbon-25mm , a seam binding bow and huge dragonfly and butterfly charm...the fab sketch is from the Stamp with Fun Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge (3 papers, 2 metal embellishments, 1 bow)  too...I'm sure there was another one but cant remember atm...there goes the hole in my head where my memory used to be lol...my day will depend on workmen again today I think whatever your up to today have a good one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - shabby shutters

hair - black soot

background - antique linen, pumice stone

outfit - antique linen, red is a mix of fired brick and Victorian velvet

its here at last...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a good week despite the snow and bad weather...isn't March supposed to be the start of spring...well I guess that slipped by a week past Sunday lol...well its here at long last, my lovely Dads 80th Birthday, I wont show you his card today as I think he should see it first don't you...he and my Sister came back last evening and they had a fantastic time at the hotel, he said he felt like a king even if he was shattered, he nodded off in front of my fire bless him lol...I just hope he likes our presents as much (ssssshhhhhhh saying nothing yet just in case of prying eyes lol)...I cant wait to see him today for his massive birthday hug though and then out for coffee before I tell him about his first present...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the new Bags of Fashion stamps from Sugar Nellie...this one is the beautiful Chelsea coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some lush papers from the My Mind's Eye-Oliver 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a stunning organza ribbon bow and a few flowers I bought ages ago from a craft sale at The Works...I love this fab Charisma Cardz challenge sketch don't you?...I love to mix shapes like this and think I have an OCD thingy for symmetry lol...I'm also entering this for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and the Addicted To Stamps Challenge too...I'm off to ring my Dad to make arrangements for today...isn't it strange how much Mum's love other people's birthday's except their own lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one with a little added sunshine

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eyes - stormy sky

hair - pumice stone

jacket - scattered straw, stormy sky

skirt - pumice stone, stormy sky, scattered straw

boots - pumice stone

bag - antique linen, stormy sky

oops nearly forgot the winner...scroll down for todays post

Hi everyone me again...oops I nearly forgot all about my candy winner didnt I

well the number generator thingy says the winner of the

fab My Mind's Eye paper pad

is

drum roll please.........

No 6

and that is

TILLY TROTTER

huge congratulations Tilly...please email me your details and I will pop it in the post for you...dont worry if you didnt win though as there will be more along very very soon...night night all

sleep tight

Mina xxx

Birthdays...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day either as a Mum or a Daughter...we had plans but my poor Daughter had to work so she is coming to cook for me on her day off during the week instead, I got some beautiful presents though...small thoughtful things instead of one big thing though....you know the kinda things you said you liked but didn't think anyone was listening, well they were...I even woke to a present from Phil of some Elizabeth Arden goodies I needed...so a lovely day...my Dad woke to his first Birthday surprise too...my youngest sister whisked him away to a night in a posh hotel, a totally shock and surprise for him I haven't heard from any of them so hope everything was brilliant...well that's surprise number one there's a few more to come before and after his birthday on Wednesday...fingers crossed he will love them all...right now onto my card for today which just happens to be a Birthday card lol...this is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month was my turn to host and I chose Girly...so anything girly on your card or project...I cant wait to see what you come up with...I used this stunning new stamp from Wild Rose Studio this little cutie is called Birthday Girl...isn't she so so sweet...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with more of the stunning papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Divine, I love this lush pad and don't seem to be able to stop using it, I think its all the tiny embellishments on the papers that seem to finish it off...I finished with a lush ribbon from my stash and some of the Mini Open Roses - Pink ...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Challenge 4 Everybody Challenge and The Pretty Little Ribbon Challenge too...I'm going to have a crafting morning this morning then maybe a catch up with my Sister and Dad when they get back, I cant wait to hear how it went...I hope you have a fabulous day and if you have time pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly Challenge to see what the rest of our fab team came up with for this challenge

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit - pumice stone, Victorian velvet

hair - antique linen

table cloth - spun sugar, tumbled glass

table leg - frayed burlap

cake - antique linen, Victorian velvet, shabby shutters

books - antique linen, shabby shutter, Victorian velvet, crushed olive

Just for you...

Good morning everyone...I hope your having a wonderful day and Im having a day off today, a lie in and a bit if pampering but wanted to pop on to wish you all a

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

and because I cant give you all a bunch of beautiful red roses here is a picture of some instead, beautiful aren't they?...I hope you all get spoiled rotten and have a wonderful relaxing time...have fun and I will be back bright and early tomorrow with something new to show you

Mina xxx

p.s. my candy is still open until midnight so join in for the chance of an extra Mother's Day present for someone