will you settle for photos and a tale?...

Good morning everyone...we are having another sunny day????, has spring arrived just in time for Summer I ask lol...thank you all loads and loads for all your suggestions for searching for the missing mojo, I am going to settle down today and do all the things you suggested and fingers crossed something will be made today...but for this morning will you settle for a few holiday photos and a little tale?

 About a kilometre away from our cottage we spotted a sign for a Titanic memorial park? we couldn't figure out why there would be something like that this deep into Ireland...so on a nice clear afternoon on the way back from a trip we stopped

it was such a peaceful, beautiful place that touched my heart...the atmosphere and layout made you feel so relaxed and immersed in thoughts of the people on board the Titanic...apparently it was put here because in April 1912 fourteen men and women from Addergoole, in North Mayo, set sail from Queenstown, Cork for a new life in America, eleven of them were lost. The parish only had a population of  3,496 at the time and the loss was the largest proportionate loss in the Titanic tragedy...it was 3% of the population, how incredible is that

we wandered around (I was with Phil, Dad sat in the car as it had been a full day out and was tired) and spent ages talking about the Titanic and how touching the memorial was, when it dawned on me how clever the designers had been

from different angles it really felt like you were heading to what would be your last journey...so clever and very beautifully done...the full size sculptures were amazingly detailed

this was the statue that touched me the most, this beautiful girl clutching every possession she owned in one suitcase, I felt a tear or two pricking my eyes...the view was perfect for the memorial too as the Nephin mountain was directly behind and screams Ireland...then Phil shouted me over to the Titanic boat sculpture and you wont believe this but someone has scratched graffiti into the metal on the back...how sad is that, why cant people just have respect and find the compassion in their hearts that this memorial certainly gave us...some people are weird aren't they...I hope you like the photos and tale and will forgive me (again) for my lack of card...well keep all your bits crossed for me that I manage to make something today as my Crafts and Me challenge card was due ages ago...wish me luck and I hope your mojo is intact and you manage some crafting today...have fun

Mina xxx

a winner...and help needed...

Good morning everyone...I have a winner of the candy I ran while I was away...thank goodness for the random number thingy as I would hate to have to pick a name from the entrants as there are so many close friends names on there...so without any more blether the random number thingy is

No 28

and that is the lovely

MOJCA

huge congratulations...please email me and I will send you your £10 voucher to spend...I don't need your address just your email

don't worry if you didn't win this time as there will more candy along very very soon

right now as to my card for today, I don't have one...this has never happened to me before but my mojo isn't just missing its gone completely...I sat yesterday evening staring at all the goodies I had to show you and nothing came along...I'm gutted and at a loss as to what to do...so I need your help, what do you do if your mojo goes missing?...help

Mina xxx

yellow, blue and pink????...

Good morning everyone are you all having a fab weekend...we woke up to wall to wall sunshine yesterday and yes the temperature even got to double figures...phew a heatwave lol...well I say we woke up Phil was away marshaling at a road race he was supposed to be away Friday night too but the heavens opened and he refused to pitch his tent in a field swimming in water bless him lol...there's nothing worse than soggy socks when your marshaling the next day...well I have caught up with some things but still have loads of emails to go through so if you sent me one and I haven't replied I'm not ignoring you honestly I just haven't got to it yet...I must admit though since coming back I have struggled to make anything as I think I left my mojo in Mayo...there could be a song there lol, I even gave up colouring yesterday and threw what I had done in the bin in a fit of temper...but I will have a hunt for it today, if you see a lonely little mojo wandering around please send it home its greatly missed...but I managed this card anyway using the beautiful Daffodils from Janey's Digi Designs...perfect for a spring card aren't they?...I coloured them with distress inks and used some of the stunning Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux, I'm not sure if this colour combo works totally but it seemed like a good idea at the time lol...but I do love the patterns in this pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so much...I finished my card with a mixture of different buttons...the fab sketch is from the Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Digi Haven Challenge too...I'm not going to craft today but we are heading for some garden centres as the sunshine has made Phil yearn to make some hanging baskets...I don't know why as I'm not a great fan of them and prefer flowers where I can see them properly...but you never know I might find some nice pots for the decking and I quite fancy a sofa for outside...you know the sort of thing, comfy, perfect for coffee and reading but waterproof...sssshhhhhhhhh dont tell Phil that's the only reason I'm going with him will you lol...whatever your up to today have fun and I hope the sun shines on you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

scattered straw, antique linen, pumice stone

Im back...prepare to be bored rigid...

Good morning everyone well I'm back and caught up with a few things so as promised its the boring holiday photos time lol...we had a fantastic journey including the biggest breakfast ever in Buncrana which is a cute little seaside town on our way down...the cottage was so old fashioned and cute...I will be back tomorrow with a card but for today hes a few photos from our trip...you honestly don't want to see all of them but I do have some really nice ones to show you later in the week

our first trip our was to Westport which is lovely but was shut and I don't mean one or two places on a Sunday but the whole place...so my tip for visiting 'dont go on Sunday'...here's one of Phil getting on his metal bike mind he wasn't going far as it was concreted to the ground

my lovely lovely Dad (who had a great time) going to check out the phone to see if it really had a phone in it or if it was for show...it worked

this was our pretty cute cottage, the massive grey mound is in fact Nephin mountain (the cottage was at the bottom of it)...fantastic views

our view from the kitchen window...on our last day the mountain was sugar frosted with snow

the beautiful sweet and old fashioned interior of the cottage...the log burner was fab...but the chairs were the most uncomfortable things we have ever sat on in our lives...there was a lot of numb bums lol...I will chat with you all tomorrow when I have a bit more time...its all very well going away on a break but omg how much catching up does it take when you get back...I have 142 emails....aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww help lol...enjoy your Saturday and I hope you have warmer weather than we have

Mina xxx

springtime tulips...

Good morning everyone did you miss me yesterday...bet you didn't even notice lol...I'm kinda hoping that we are having a spring day like this little sweetie is...shes one of the brand new spring release digis from Mo's Digital Pencil...she so reminds me of our beautiful Daughter she had hair like this and when she was small she collected everything in our garden with any colour in it and gave it to me as 'a flower for Mummy'...I always ended up with a handful of much loved weeds that lived in a glass of water for ages lol...she was so sweet and I couldn't resist loving them even though they were weeds...this is the beautiful Spring for Sale coloured with distress inks...the amazing papers are from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad -Tea Thyme...I think its out of stock at Bunny Zoe's Crafts though...I love the pretty shades in this don't you?...I finished my card with a sentiment and a green satin bow from my stash...oh and before I forget all the sketches I have used this week have been from Mojo Monday...their sketches are always so lush and they keep them so you can use them whenever you want...well today is our last full day of our holiday so I will be back tomorrow with a live post with loads of gossip, a card and probably some photos to show you if I can get them downloaded in time for my post...until then have a brilliant day and I will speak to you all tomorrow

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit - antique linen, spun sugar

boots - frayed burlap

tulip cases - scattered straw, antique linen

tulips - victorian velvet, peeled paint, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

oh no I ran out of time...

Good morning everyone...I haven't got a card to show you today as I ran out of time to make another one...but I will be back bright and early tomorrow with a lush image to show you...speak soon

Mina xxx

cute as candy...

Good morning everyone I hope your all having a wonderful week so far...how stunning is this sweetie...she reminds me of summer holidays at the seaside when I was little...how much did you love candy cane rock sticks...I loved the minty sweet flavour of them so much...I was thinking about my childhood when I was colouring this sweetie and remembering how wonderful it was...we weren't rich but my Mum and Dad always made sure we had holidays and as my Dad was from Northern Ireland a lot of them were spent here...the smells and sounds of my Grandmas house when we came to visit still live with me now...right now back to this cutie...shes from Sugar Nellie and is called Sweet as Candy (now what else could she be called lol)...I coloured her with distress inks and used some perfect summer papers from the Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some blue gingham ribbon, a pink bow and loads and loads of buttons...I'm having a day without posting tomorrow as I ran out of time to make anything else oops lol, but I will be back on Thursday with something to show you and don't forget about my candy...have a brilliant day
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

jacket - scattered straw, antique linen

jeans - weathered wood, tumbled glass, pumice stone

t shirt - shabby shutters, antique linen

candy - tumbled glass, victorian velvet, scattered straw, pumice stone

pail - tumbled glass

boots - pumice stone, spun sugar

shading - pumice stone

fan-tastic...

Good morning everyone...its the virtual me again...its Monday so we are probably visiting Westport today...its a lovely seaside place and really Irish if you know what I mean...google it and you will see what I mean...I so fell in love with this sweet little stamp when I saw it...she is by La La Land Crafts and is called Kimono Marci with Fan...I just couldn't resist doing a bit of paper piecing on her beautiful kimono...I coloured her with distress inks and the papers are from my favourite paper pad atm, the stunning Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I love the amazing colours in this pad...the tag is from the same pad and the sentiment is from the stamp set...I finished with a flower from the  Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Almanac set and a few punched and cut out flowers from the stamp set...everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...that's it for today, I hope you joined in with my candy yesterday, if not its on the post below so pop down to join in...oh btw I took my camera with me so prepare to be bored rigid with holiday photos when I get back lol...have a brilliant day and I hope the sun shines for you (and us) 

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot

shading - pumice stone

CANDY, CANDY, CANDY TIME...

Good morning everyone...well how about a little bit of holiday candy?...well you have to have a little treat for when I'm away don't you...so what do I have to offer this time...well I wracked my brains for ideas on what to give away and decided instead to give you a gift voucher for Bunny Zoe's Crafts so you could buy whatever took your fancy 

 so what do you need to do to win...just the usual really

you MUST be a follower to win my candy as its a treat for my followers

but please don't be a candy follower only follow if you like my work and will visit

enter your name and link in the Mr linky thingy (fingers crossed it works while I'm away)

AND leave me a comment just in case it doesn't

post a link to the candy on your blog to spread the word (sidebar is fine)

its open worldwide and you have

until midnight Sunday 28th April to join in

and I will announce the winner shortly after

that's it really...I will be back tomorrow with something new to show you...enjoy your Sunday and wish us luck the weather isn't too wet...who am I kidding its Ireland of course it will be wet lol

Mina xxx

on the road...

Good morning everyone I hope you all have a fab weekend planned...well we are off on our trip, it should take us about 4-5 hours to get there as we are planning a couple of stop on route as travelling that long is a bit hard on my poor Dad...you should have seen the car last night when we packed it, I think Phil thought it would burst, well I never said I travelled light did I lol...right now for my card for today...when I first saw this beautiful Hyacinth 1 from Janey's Digi Designs I knew exactly what sort of card I would make...its so pretty and makes a perfect image to add to the side of a sentiment or message don't you think?...I coloured the flowers with distress inks and cut it out...the sentiment is stamped with a stamp from my sentiment box, I keep all the sentiments I cut off stamp sets etc all in one box so I can find them easily, the lush papers although they are out of stock as I have had them ages is from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Antique Aged Papers pack from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a lush deep purple ribbon from my stash and a pearl brad with the back prongs cut off...its so weird not entering any challenges, strange how you get used to something isn't it...I will be back tomorrow as usual and don't forget I have candy this week so keep an eye out for it...whatever your up to today I hope you wont be sitting in the car as long as us

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

flowers - milled lavender, seedless preserves

stalk and centres - shabby shutters, peeled paint

DT CALL...

 

Quick post before Im off to bed...pop on over to our fab Dreamteams blog and join in with the Mo's Digital Pencil DT call...all you need to know etc is posted there...I cant wait to see all your work for the call...speak soon

Mina xxx

cute as a button...

Good morning everyone well this is my last live post for a week we are off on our holiday in the morning...but as usual because I'm a bit obsessive I will be posting all week thanks to technology...don't you just love technology...we had to have a quick visit to the shops yesterday to pick up some things you just cant go on holiday without...you know those essentials like a new nail varnish, hairspray etc lol and of course we had time for some coffee...while we were sitting having a coffee I spotted a middle aged man on the next table scratching off a scratch card, of course I couldn't help a sneaky look...I almost fainted, he had six £10 scratch cards, 5 scratched and the one he was scratching away at...then he ripped them all up went away and came back with another 4...omg how can anyone afford to waste £100 on scratch cards...I must admit although of course its his money and he can do what he wants with it, it made me feel sick at the thought of how much he was spending on them...am I the only one that thinks that man has a real serious problem...my lovely Dad was flabbergasted and him sitting open mouthed trying not to look at him was a little funny though lol...right now onto my card for today...how gorgeous is this digi from Sugar Nellie, shes from the Simply Sassy range at Funky Kits and is called Tiffany...I coloured her with distress inks and used more of these amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - Needle & Thread 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the sentiment tag is from the same pad and the bow was made with Organza Ribbon - Pink (25mm Wide), I love this ribbon so much...do you like the little spotty buttons?, well they are actually made using a punch and papers...I had forgotten all about this punch, I bought it years ago and it was at the bottom of my punch box...the fab sketch is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge (the punch is the button punch) and I'm also entering it for the Inky Impressions Challenge and the Saturated Canary Challenge too...right I'm off to do my packing...don't forget to pop back while I'm away, oh and I will be having some candy too you don't want to miss that do you...have a fantastic week while I'm away and whatever your doing have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - stormy sky

outfit - pumice stone, stormy sky, spun sugar, victorian velvet

shading - punice stone

MO'S DIGITAL PENCIL - BRAND NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP...

The Dream team and the Challenge team for Mo’s Digital Pencil have joined forces to bring you a spectacular Blog Hop with 6 brand new images being released today.

Not only that but we have a hidden discount code in flowers on some of the blogs so make sure you start at the very beginning of the Blog Hop and jot them down in order and you will get a whopping 25% discount when you apply the code to the shop, you can also win the chance of a $5 gift voucher for Mo’s shop, we have 4 to give away as spot prizes from the comments left on our blogs so remember to leave some love in the way of a comment on each blog you hop to.

 Good morning everyone and wwwooohhhoooo how amazing is this not one, not two but 6 new images all at once from the wonderful Mo, you should have arrived here from the fabulous Kat's blog, if not then hop on over to our lovely Pat to start at the beginning you don't want to miss anything do you?...I got to use the amazingly gorgeous Daffodils image for my card...

this is just THE perfect spring image don't you think...she reminds me of when my Daughter was small and we took her to a farm to feed the lambs, she loved it until they started to jump up at her and leave muddy footprints on her pretty dress, then Mummy had to take over I loved it even more than she did I think lol...I coloured the fabulous Daffodils with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with
 

some stunningly perfect coloured papers from the Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad and finished with some flowers cut from the papers, a huge bow made from Organza Ribbon - Sunflower (25mm Wide) and a beautiful butterfly from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack...

your next stop on our hop is the fabulous Kim's blog, the whole hop order is below just in case you get lost along the way...enjoy the rest of the hop and
I have a flower for you to collect. You should collect a total of 6 flowers on your "Blog Hop" travels. Some have numbers or letters...and some say "Try next Blog". Once you've collected all 6 in order, they will spell a code that you can use to get 25% off your order at Mo’s Digital Pencil shop!

here's a little sneaky peek preview of all 6 of the new images

The blog hop order is as follows and as well as collecting the flower codes you can also win the chance of a $5 gift voucher for Mo’s shop, we have 4 to give away as spot prizes from the comments left on our blogs so remember to leave some love in the way of a comment on each blog you hop to.

Pat, Alice, Anja, Kerttu, Cathy, Debby, Elaine, Gretha, Debbie L, Heidy, Franz, Jane, Iulia, Julie, Kat, Mina, Kim, Tine, Pops, Tracy, Jak

Mina xxx

every girl needs a bit of glitz...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...there's a load of stomach bugs and flu like thingies (that's a technical term lol) going around at the minuet...I don't want any thanks and our Daughter other half has something icky bless him...I love him to bits but I hope he keeps it to himself as I don't want to go away feeling queasy...my lovely Dad needed to go to the shops yesterday and who am I to turn down a coffee break so of we trotted...my Dads hearing aids were switched up another notch on Friday and I found out over coffee hes finding it a little overwhelming as hes hearing sounds he hasn't heard for about 15 years, I think he thought he had developed super hearing but when I asked him what noises he was hearing they were just what I could hear but he just hasn't learnt to filter the background noises out yet...it will probably take him a little while to get used to it...I do feel for him though bless his cotton socks...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at the Crafts and Me Challenge...this week the challenge is to Bling it Up, now every girl needs a bit of bling in her life doesn't she and I didn't need to be told twice to add some bling to my card...I used this stunning Hannah Lynn image from Crafts and Me for my card, shes called Fire and Ice...beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her hair a little bit...the amazing papers are from the Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (see I told you I wouldn't be able to resist using it loads didn't I lol)...I added a few gems from a Mixed Bag Clear Flat Acrylic Round Gems - 3mm, 4mm & 5mm bag and a lush glittery ribbon bow made from Cosmic Brown/Gold Glitter Ribbon-25mm from Crafts and Me to finish...I'm entering this for the Through The Craftroom Door Challenge, By The Cute & Girly Challenge and the Twisted Tuesday Challenge too...I have all the men in my life for dinner tonight so I'm making stew, quick and in the oven so I concentrate on other things...oooohhhh and I might get to do a bit of colouring too you never know...whatever your up to I hope you have a good one and if you have time pop by the Crafts and Me Challenge to see what the rest of the Digi team came up with this time

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - frayed burlap

lips, outfit and tail - tattered rose

shading - pumice stone

theres something about spots & stripes...

Good morning everyone are you having a nice week...how horrific was the Boston bombings, I despair of mankind sometimes, what reason could any organisation or terrorist have to bomb runners...the world has gone mad hasn't it?, my heart goes out to those bereaved and the injured and I wish there was some way I could gather them all up and tell them everything is going to be alright...I was sitting colouring yesterday in glorious sunshine, what a difference it makes but how strange is the weather at the moment...we had glorious sunshine all day yesterday and Phil spent hours in the garden when he came home planting loads of flowers and shallots and a creeping rose...it was lovely...then about 7pm a storm came in and the wind went up and we seemed to changed seasons completely...too weird...right now my card for today, I love love love this cutie from the new Magnolia Once Upon a Time collection...this is the fab Tilda as a Clown, I coloured her with my distress inks and paper pieced her outfit and hat with paper from the same pad as the spot and stripes paper I used for the card, there's something about spot and stripes together isn't there and they are perfect for a cute clown don't you think...the papers are from the Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad...this is such a fabulously bright and beautiful pad...I finished my card with a lush wired bow made from Organza Ribbon - Baby Blue (25mm Wide), and a white button...everything I used, except the button is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...brilliant news too Bunny Zoe's Crafts has a stamp sale on atm...the link is below just click on the picture...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge (M for Magnolia and Mina) and That Craft Place Challenge too...another busy busy day today getting loads of stuff ready...our holidays seem to be like operation list atm lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget about the Bunny Zoe's Crafts sale too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

shading on paper piecing and around image - pumice stone

and the winner is...

 Oops I nearly forgot didnt I...so no waffling about just my winner for this months Bunny Zoe's Crafts Candy...the random number thingy says its
No. 10

and that is

KandA

huge congratulations Andrea, please email me your address and I will pass on your details to Nikki...dont worry if you didnt win this time though as there will be another pretty soon and I will be having candy soon too

Night Night

Mina xxx

I'm bbbbbaaaacccckkkk.....

Good morning everyone and yes at last I'm back, did you miss me, bet you never even noticed lol...we have had a fab weekend...Friday afternoon my lovely Dad spent outrageously flirting with his audiologist while she switched his hearing aids up another notch...he can almost hear a pun drop now and there's no chance of whispering behind his back now lol then Friday night was a surprise dinner party in a local hotel for my Aunt and Uncle for their 50th wedding anniversary...how amazing is that 50 years, you should have seen their faces when they walked in, it was a total surprise and a lot of tears flowed from everyone...it was fantastic catching up with all the family and my Dad, Sister, her husband and Phil were there too...our Daughter and her other half were meant to be there but she was still away but she was gutted she couldn't be there and it would have been a chance for her other half to meet everyone who only get together at occasions like this...we had a shopping, lunch kinda day on Saturday then Sunday was a family lunch, our beautiful Daughter came home for a day and a half and was full of excitement and brimming over with all the things she had been doing and how much she is loving it to bits...I'm so pleased for her and was so full of pride when she told us how well she is doing I thought I would cry at one stage...soppy bugger I am lol...phew that was a lot of info, see what happens when your broken down for a few days lol...right now onto my card for today...now who else could draw this stunning image but Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil...this is the fabulous Baby Fairy Bee, she is just so so cute in her bee outfit isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from one of my new buys from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, they are from the Kaisercraft - Remember Me 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, now you all know my passion for paper and I love Kaisercraft pads but this one is something special, some are flocked some are glossed, its just a shame they don't show up more in the photos...you will be seeing a lot more of this pad as its so lush I wont be able to resist using it...I finished my card with some Thickers letter stickers and loads of punched butterflies...the fab sketch is from the Crafty Catz Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Joanna Sheen Challenge too...it will be a busy busy busy week this week as we are away for a week from Saturday for the holiday for my Dads Birthday present, so packing, doing posts doing DT work etc, I will probably pass myself in the hall a few times I'm sure...have a fabulous day and I hope its a bit more relaxing then mine

Mina xxx

p.s. I will be back later with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts candy winner

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

bee outfit - black soot, scattered straw, antique linen

flower - peeled paint, barn door, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

hair pulling out moments...

Good morning everyone...oops afternoon I mean...well the laptop saga is almost over, I have done everything I can think of to fix it and its working fine despite a few hair pulling moments lol...I have also run three virus scans just in case...I'm just waiting for a friend to come around this evening to double check everything is perfect and I will be back on line in all the right ways...I have loads to tell you but it takes too long on my teeny tiny galaxy keyboard I will leave it for my first proper post...I hope your all well and having a brilliant weekend, I will speak to you all properly real soon and give you all the goss...btw I was asked about replacing the cream cheese with marscapone yesterday, I have tried this (as I love marscapone)and it doesn't set right and has a very different consistency, I tried a mix of all three but couldn't get the right set either...I maybe muddled a few people saying cream cheese...its the same stuff you would put on bagels and a well known make here is Philadelphia...I hope that helps a bit more...speak later

Mina xxx

back but not back...

Good morning everyone...I'm back but not quite back yet...my laptop is still in intensive care but getting there...good news it isn't a virus but some corrupt files and a dodgy sound file or two...I'm nearly fixed but it will probably not be until tonight...in the meantime I already had these photos uploaded for while I'm away on holiday the week after next but decided to give you the recipe now so I can at least had something to show you today...this is the cheesecake a few of you asked about mind it took me ages typing this on my tablet I haven't got used to the teeny keyboard yet and might have to buy a stylus...btw do you like my posh foodie shot, Phil says it isn't normally served like that lol

Simple & foolproof (has to be for me) no cook cheescake recipe

250 gm bag of Amaretti biscuits (or your own favourites)

100 gms of butter (spreads and margarine's don't taste nice)

400 gms of cream cheese (use the full fat type the low cal

doesnt seem to work as well and it ends up watery and doesnt set

I use Sainsburys cheapie own brand one it works fine)

250ml full fat double cream (I never said it was low fat lol)

100gms icing sugar

vanilla (either essence or a real pod whichever you prefer but omg have you seen

price of pods)

I use a cake tin with a loose bottom for my cheesecake as its easy to get out but you can use glasses or whatever is easy for you

open the top of your bag of Amaretti (I love these so much but you can use any biscuits/cookies

you like really, if the crumb is drier or more crumbly use about 25gms more butter)

fold it over loosely and lean on the biscuits to get them started breaking up when you feel it looser then use a rolling pin and bash them, not too hard though as your bag will burst and you will be covered in crumbs lol (been there)

you can use a food processor but I find it makes the crumb too tiny and it saves on washing up doing it this way

put your butter into a pan and on a very low heat melt it (u can use a microwave but make sure it doesn't cook you just want it melted) when the butter is liquid add your crumbs and stir with a fork to cover all the crumbs (you will tell they are covered because they will change colour)

put into your tin to about a 1.5cm thick and press down lightly to smooth down but don't press to hard or you will end up with a concrete base that take a lot of cutting...I always have enough for my cake tin, two glass ones and a cooks treat one

put them into the fridge to set, leave for 10-15mins until they are cold

wait until they are cold until you do the next step

you will need two bowls and a mixer

in your first bowl put your cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla, I use a spoon to mix this or the icing sugar ends up as a cloud that coats everything...mix together until combined

in the other bowl whip your cream until its just starting to thicken and you can see the mixer line in it

add the cream to the cream cheese mix and whip until everything is combined and it is very very thick and holds a stiff peak

place on top of your base and into your glasses, there's no need to be too smooth or careful

return to the fridge and leave for an hour or two then you can serve

it keeps really well and is delicious

this is my cooks treat size one, this is one I eat for after my lunch on the day I make it...I hope you like the recipe and enjoy it, sorry I don't know any other weight but gms etc so you will have to convert yourself)...any problems just leave me a comment and I will do my best to help...I will hopefully (fingers, legs and toes crossed) be back as normal tomorrow and will speak to you all then

Mina xxx
p.s. have you joined in with the candy yet...if you havent the link is at the top of my sidebar x

I have a virus...aaaccchhhooo....

 Good morning everyone and no its not me that has the virus its my lovely old laptop so I'm using my new Galaxy tablet to write this until I can get it cleared...so bear with me as it might take a little while...at least I know why I couldn't upload my photos the other day now so at least thats a positive lol...well you have to look on the bright side dont you...I will hopefully be back later and back on my laptop so I can get to my photos etc...if not wish me luck everyone...I need it lol

Take care

Mina xxx

sniff, sniff...

Good morning everyone how you all feeling, I hope your not feeling like this poor little fella...there is a few spring colds going around, mind with snow still in Scotland its little wonder people aren't feeling well...well I finally managed to get my Dads chiropodists appointment right phew and I was sitting in the waiting room while I waited for him...playing a game on my tablet and a woman sitting next to me started chatting...now I'm a pretty friendly person but I must just have one of those faces because by the time my Dad came out I knew where she lived, how many children she had, that she had just given up smoking and what make her phone was...there's such a thing as giving too much information you know...she was a nice lady though and a good natter does you good sometimes doesn't it even if it is a bit one sided lol...right my card for today is using this oh so cute and perfect for get well soon card Mo's Digital Pencil digi, this is the fab Beary Sick...look at that poor little face, it just makes you go aaaaawwwwww...I coloured him with my usual distress inks and the stunning papers are from one of my new buys from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...these are from the Kaisercraft - Elegance 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...the sentiment is from the same pad too...I added a Prima flower (one I have had for ages and ages) and two cut out freehand leaf shapes...the design is quite simple but the papers and image make it look like it isn't don't you think?...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Twisted Tuesday Challenge and the Creative Inspirations Challenge too...its supermarket day with my Dad today (groan) but I don't mind really as it gives us a chance for put the world to rights coffee time too and some days have to dedicated to the mundane things like grocery shopping don't they... so I'm off to put the old war paint on...whatever your up to today I hope its a little more exciting than mine lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

bear - antique linen, frayed burlap, spun sugar,

nose - victorian velvet

eyes - tumbled glass

nightshirt - pumice stone, evergreen bough,

hankie and slippers - evergreen bough, spun sugar

shading - pumice stone

the internet fairy said yes...

Good morning (again)...yes at long last the internet fairy said yes and up popped my photos into my post...I wonder why that happens, I'm sure there's a long technical reason for it but would I understand it I ask myself, so decided to go with the internet fairy theory lol...thank you all so much for the hugs and sympathy yesterday...our wonderful Daughter got there on time and in one piece, shes loving it, so hard and a lot of work but she has always thrived on hard work (takes after her Dad lol)...she rang me last night and was just going to eat at about 8.30pm and then was heading for bed to flake out bless her...see all that worrying and she is brilliant and thriving...the joys of parenthood lol...right now onto my card for today (at long last) I love this fab stamp from Whimsy Stamps dont you...hes perfect for any boys card or any sporty guy card too...hes called Whimsy Basketball and I coloured him a little darker to make him more ethnic looking this time, I'm not 100% sure I managed it though...I used my distress inks for colouring and more of these stunning summery papers from the new Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad...fabulous pastel colours arent they...the sentiment is from the same pad too...the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a few buttons...the fab sketch is from the Here Comes the Boys Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Sentiments Challenge and the Through The Craftroom Door challenge too...I'm off to the Chiropodist with my lovely Dad today, yes its the one I had to rebook because I got the day wrong...well I have triple checked this time and the day and time are right so I wont have to hang my head in shame hopefully lol...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit and boots - scattered straw, tumbled glass, pumice stone

ball - scattered straw, tea dye

shading - pumice stone

blogger or not. ..

Good morning everyone I cant get my card uploaded this morning...I don't know if its blogger or my isp but I will be back a little later to try again....is it just me or is this happening more and more often? Oh well no matter who,s to blame its refusing to co-operate even a teeny bit, but I will give it another try later...speak soon
Mina xxx

The fabric of life...

Good morning everyone...I need a cyber hug this morning, our Daughter is off on her trip and I hardly slept last night worrying about her...isn't that terrible seriously, Mina get a grip girl shes 28 I say to myself but it doesn't make any difference whatsoever and I wont settle today until I know she is there safely, settled in and has her first day training behind her...how soppy is that next thing I will be wanting to arrive in the hotel to tuck her in lol...the thing is she would be so embarrassed if she knew this was how I felt as she is so independent and left home about 6 years ago...she would be the one telling me to get a grip...so I'm not sure if I need a hug or a good shake lol...well I managed to get a hair appointment yesterday and my busted sofa look has as last gone, instead I have a super short style very like Jamie Lee Curtis's short cut...every time my hairdresser finished she decided I would suit a little more off and I was ok with going for it...so super short it is and feels lovely and light and no I'm not showing you a photo I hate my photo taken and it gets worse the older I get lol...right now onto my card for today which is using one of my all time favourite digis from Sugar Nellie...shes from the Simply Adorables collection and is called Amber...she is amazing to colour like all the Adorable...I used my distress inks for her and teamed her up with papers from one of my new buys...I cant resist new paper pads and bought four this weekend from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...these papers are from the lush Kaisercraft - Needle & Thread 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, gorgeous aren't they...I finished by adding a few buttons and a pink checked ribbon bow from my stash...I made the sketch match the paper as I didn't want to hide the sentiment etc but I'm entering it for the Sparkle N Sprinkle challenge, Stamps+Fun=Creativity challenge and the Crafty Catz challenge too...I'm having a crafting morning then making dinner for the men in my life, Phil, Dad and our Daughters other half are all here for dinner...whatever your up to today give someone you love a hug it will do you both the power of good

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - peeled paint

flowers - victorian velvet, peeled paint

shading - pumice stone