a little bit of glitter never did any harm...or did it???...

Good morning everyone quick question for you is this photo blurry and faded looking to you?, if its not then I think my screen needs a good clean or maybe my glasses as it does to me...we had more storms yesterday and when I came in one had snapped one of my Montbretia flowers and the only ripeish tomato on Phil's vine was hanging by its finger nails (that's if they had fingernails lol)...oh and when I was colouring yesterday morning I glittered her up and put the glitter glue down and it fell off my desk, I made a quick grab for it and instead whacked my knuckle on the table....well the air turned blue and my index finger is now twice its size and has a massive red and black bruise...ouch...some days it isn't even safe for me to get out of bed let alone go out lol...I should come with a government health warning...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the gorgeous mermaids from the C.C. Designs Sweet November Mermaids...these are so so cute and fantastic to colour...I used my distress inks to colour and coloured her hair pink to match the gorgeous papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories...beautiful colours aren't they...I couldn't resist glittering her up even if it did cause me pain, with some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust and added a bow using the lush Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and finished with a blue button from the Ice Storm - 25g bag if buttons, everything I used for my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and Im also entering it for the The Squirrel and the Foz Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge too...I'm sitting in, all the doors locked, windows sealed and covering myself in bubble wrap just in case today...have a great day today and watch out for that glitter glue its lethal lol.
Mina xxx
p.s. dont forget to let me know if the photo is blurry to you too

distress ink colours used

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

hair - tattered rose

eyes, top and tail - tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

enough is enough...

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...ok now enough is enough of these massive storms our poor plants are all battered and everyday more flowers are lying on the deck...the poor things don't know whats hitting them and are shell shocked...its still hot and heavy feeling though so no complaints about the temperature just the huge plumps of rain...I really don't mind thunder and lightening do you? I know loads of people are afraid of them but I love a good storm...I would be one of those mental storm chasers if I had the chance I'm sure lol...it has been know for me to stand outside watching a storm like a loony, with my Daughter screaming from the door 'get in you mad woman'...in fact the last the four of us went on holiday together to Lanzarote me and her other half were told off like a couple of kids for standing in the rain watching the most amazing lightening storm...oops lol...right now enough weather news onto my card for today which is using another stunner from the new Simply Adorable release at Sugar Nellies...I love love love these don't you, they are fantastic to colour...this is the beautiful I like to be pretty...gorgeous isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these incredible papers from the Kaisercraft - Needle & Thread 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...this is such a beautiful pad and the sentiment and the roses I cut out are from the same pad...I bought the pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a deep pink stitched ribbon  and a few punched butterflies...the lush sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Creations Challenge and the Card Mania Challenge too...I'm heading out with my lovely Dad today, he is really bored I think since he came back from his travels, I think he needs to head off again don't you...I will have to think of something when I'm feeling a bit better what do you think? any ideas?...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and watch out for the plumps lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

beads, dress trin, rose and boots - worn lipstick

dress - iced spruce

kiss kiss...

Good morning everyone did you have a brilliant weekend and didn't get drenched I hope....we went to Town with my lovely Dad uesterday and just as we were leaving a coffee shop there was a massive storm that came from blue skies and as my gorgeous Phil would say 'it plumped from the heavens' lol...I had a very light blue top on that has a bit of back on show and it was freezing cold on my back and made me yelp...well we dashed back to the car, well as fast as you can dash with a man who walks with two crutches and headed home, by the time we dropped my Dad off and got inside the house drenched to the skin the skies were clear blue and the sun was shining again...so weird...right now onto my card for today is using this amazing Kisses digi stamp from, yes you guessed it Mo's Digital Pencil...it has to be doesn't it...look at that adorable face and her cute little knees...I coloured her with my distress inks and used some amazing papers I found while having a bit of a rummage...these are from the Echo Park 6x6 paper pad - This and That...aren't these just the lushest colours and perfect for this little sweetie...I bought this Echo Park Pad ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but it isn't in stock anymore but there's loads of others...I finished with an incredible Prima metal flowers with a button attached to the centre and some sparkly letters sentiment...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering this for the Joanna Sheen Challenge and One Stitch at a Time Challenge too...I have some crafting to catch up on today while my Dad is at the garage getting his tyres changed and then will be trying to rescue the flowers that have been battered by the storms...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to stay dry

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit, flowers and shoes - peeled paint, scattered straw, 

shading - pumice stone

yes at long long last...

Good morning everyone...yes its me and yes I am able to show a card at long long last...it has taken me ages and ages to get all the programmes loaded to allow my laptop just to get by, but I keep finding out everything I have lost, little things like all the fonts I had collected...information and links and templates I have made over the years even...gutted...but I'm not going to cry over spilt milk and will just get on with things and think about all the fun I will have finding them again...so if you have any links or info you think I might need a link would be fantastic...pretty please lol...let this be a warning please please please backup all your precious things, especially photos, digis and things you cant replace don't do what I did and keep putting it off...wow isn't the weather weird atm, its really really hot and the pressure is almost touchable but the storms are incredible...I have never ever heard thunder like it and the rain is so huge its flattening all our lovely plants and knocking all the flowers off...the lightening is a spectacle to behold...I don't mind it although must admit I was sitting watching Paranormal Activity 1 late last night, all by myself as Phil was in bed (never was a night owl bless him lol) and it had just got to the creeping bit at the end and there was a massive clap of thunder, I nearly passed out lol...I never get scared at horror or scary films even watching them alone but have to admit that scared the crap out of me...right now onto my long awaited card...this is one of the ones that should have been posted last week and is using this oh so cute stamp by Wild Rose Studio...shes called Emily Vacuuming and I coloured her with my usual distress inks...the fabulous papers are from the gorgeous Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Colour Me Happy really happy bright colours aren't they...the tag is from the same pad too...I added a bow made from lush Organza Ribbon - Lime (25mm Wide) and finished with a selection of Buttons...everything I used today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Your Next Stamp Challenge and the Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge too...I think we will be heading out today as Phil has been marshalling all weekend so I have hardly seen him at all and we need to get some things done...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and watch out for those raindrops they are huge lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - peeled paint, scattered straw, pumice stone, spun sugar,

vaccum - barn door, tumbled glass

puppy - pumice stone, frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

I haven't vanished...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have had a better week than me...I have finally got the virus off my poor sickly little laptop and started it up again for the whole thing to fold faster than a deck of cards...a complete crash and to cut a very very long story short the only way to get any life into it was to manage to find one system restore point that would work...of course sods law its from three years ago...so i finally have a working laptop but systems, programmes, photo editing and even my internet connection in fact everything is gone...im going to work all day today to get everything reloaded and fingers, legs in fact everything crossed I should be up and running but im gutted I have lost three years digis, work, photos and everything boo hoo. That will teach me to back things up wont it lol...speak to you all soon and have a good day

Mina xxx

Can I afford the hair loss...

Good morning everyone im typing this on my galaxy because despite spending all that time Sunday and yesterday what I thought was clearing my sickly laptop of whatever was making it poorly it didn't work...so im pulling my hair out thinking what else to do...can I afford the hair loss I ask myself lol...right then I may be back later even if I will be a bit bald...keep your fingers crossed for me and any ideas are gratefully accepted

Mina xxx

aaaaacccccchhhhhooooooo.....

Good afternoon everyone at long last I have managed to do my post...my poor little laptop had a virus bless it...my galaxy tablet was fine but I couldn't post my pictures on there as they were saved on my laptop...so after a lot of checking and scanning and rescanning I think I have got it so fingers crossed everything works ok now...phew right start again...did you all have a fabulous weekend and do something exciting?...we were supposed to do the long put off trip to Ikea on Saturday but sods law Phil got called into work and spent the whole day there....so part two we decided we would go on Sunday but I couldn't ask Phil to spend his only day off trekking through a shop now could I...so instead we had a chill day but did manage a detour while we were out for coffee to buy a few new plants for the garden (you can always find somewhere that sells plants cant you lol)...right now I better get on with my card hadn't I before this goes kaput again even though all my bits are crossed for it not too...I used this fantastic Mo's Digital Pencil image for my card today...I love the look on her face don't you it always makes me smile...shes called Bad Hair Day and she reminds me of when our Daughter trimmed her fringe when she was about 12...it was as short as her fringe and just as spiky lol...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her dress (any excuse for cutting out lol),,,the fabulous papers I used and the sentiment tag are from the My Minds Eye - Oxford Lane 6x6 pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I love the colours in it don't you...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering it for the Brown Sugar Challenge, and the Alphabet Challenge  too...I'm off to make dinner for tonight now as my lovely Dad is coming for it...it has been fantastic catching up with him this weekend, then maybe a little bit of sun while it last as its meant to be stormy this week...oh no out comes the umbrellas again its a good thing we kept them close by lol...have a fantastic day everyone and watch out for those virus's floating around they are little devils

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

shoes - faded jeans

trim on dress & scissors - faded jeans

shading - pumice stone

our little corner...

Good morning everyone...wow I'm loving this weather so much aren't you...there's something about sunshine that makes everything seem better and manages to make you feel loads better even if your not, did that make any sense at all lol...my lovely Dad is home from travels, so its out for not 'put the world to rights' coffee today but 'how was your holidays' one instead.  Have any of you been away this year yet, I would love to know where...I have so missed going away this year but we plan to make next year a good one if all the operations etc go to plan that is...I'm still waiting for my MRI appointment so don't know when yet...right as promised here's some photos of our little bit of heaven...the first one is looking out of the doors down the whole garden, its a lot longer than it looks and keep in mind we have only really done the deck so far...the eating area still need plants and the barbecue put in then we have to move onto the corner patio at the bottom

that's going to have a couple of seats, a small table, a tree and some larger plants on it to make it a sitting area for the last of the sun of the day and of course the next big thing is to get rid of that awful blue fence, I don't think it makes a good framework colour, do you?...the next photo is my favourite area where the swing seat is...wow have you seen that amazing hanging basket...seriously it is massive, not a bad effort for Phil's first basket is it...do you see what I mean about the lavender/purple colour co-ordination of the corner flowers (that's the crafter in me coming out lol)...Phils tomatoes are just in the corner beside the swing seat...wish they would hurry up and fruit Im dying to taste them

the last photo is of the other sitting area...I love that palm don't you and the colour of the seat is perfect but will work a lot better when the fence is painted I think...there are loads of other plants etc I could have shown you but I'm sure I have bored all you non gardeners enough lol...I'm going to take the next couple of days off to try and do some catching up but will be back bright and early with a make on Monday morning, now Im off to put the war paint on, even the sunshine dosent stop you needing the polyfilla does it lol...I hope you can enjoy your little corner of heaven over the weekend...have a wonderful one

Mina xxx

a little bit of pink...hop along...

 

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...I haven't forgotten about the garden photos they will be here tomorrow, that's if you still want to see them of course...its time for our Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly challenge and if your in the hop you should have arrived here from the fabulously talented

KALY'S

blog but if you want to start at the beginning and be in with a chance of winning one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil then pop on over to the lovely Pops to start at the beginning and don't forget your comments along the way for a chance to win

our theme this month is Pink...now I cant resist a bit of pink can you?...I chose to use this fantastic Steffi Sobbing for my card, don't you just love her two front teeth...there's four of these little Crybabies to collect and they are each as cute as the other...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and paper pieced her perfect little outfit with a pretty gingham from an old paper pad from my stash...they are from the Graphic45 Little Darling's pad...I love this stunning pad I bought ages and ages ago and will be gutted when its finished

I finished my card with a ruffled cream satin ribbon bow and punched a few buttons from the same papers...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and the That Craft Place Challenge too...I'm the last stop on the hop, I hope you enjoyed it and didn't forget your comments for a chance to win...I'm having another chilling day today but will be back tomorrow with the garden photos...I'm loving our deck now, when we first moved in I thought what on earth will we do with this big lump of wood but its filling up nicely...speak to you all tomorrow and I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you today

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

heart and hair decoration - tattered rose, victorian velvet

shading - pumice stone

watch out for head butting bees...

Good morning everyone are you having a good week?, enjoying good weather too I hope...ok hands up who thought we went to Ikea yesterday...nope...as Ikea is about 1hr 15mins from us we really didnt fancy sitting in a card for all that time in 27degrees...isnt it weird how it can be so hot but cloudy and dull, so instead we had a little mooch in town looking for Phil's Birthday present (yes hes 21 again today)...I hate shopping for men dont you, if you ask a woman what she wants she can give you a whole list to choose including prices and where they can be bought but ask a man and theres not a thing he wants lol...so I have his card (of course) but nothing to give him yet...the only idea I had our Daughter has pinched for her gift for him, cheeky girl...after our town mooch and lunch we were sitting in the garden and I was watching all the bees playing amongst the Nasturtiums and being nosey headed over to watch them gather their nectar...they are so relaxing don't you think...I got a little bit too close and got head butted by one of them, I don't know who was more shocked me or the poor bee although it did fly away probably wondering what the hell it flew into lol...I'm so pleased Phil was inside getting a drink he would have just shook his head and done that little grin...you know the one don't you girls lol...right now for my card for today and its using another of the brand new Summer Adorables from Sugar Nellie...did you get any of them yet, if you did I would love to know your favourite if you haven't seen them all pop on over to Funky Kits and have a look...I love this Ballet Student one she is stunning to colour...all those beautiful folds in her dress and that amazing hair...I used my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories, I added a ribbon bow from my stash and finished with a couple of pins pushed through the bow and a stunning chocolate coloured resin rose from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag...the paper pad and cabochons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Crafter's Cafe Challenge too...Phil's back at work today so I'm going to make him a roast dinner (his favourite) for dinner and our Daughter and her other half are coming for dinner to celebrate his birthday...so I will probably be flitting between the kitchen, garden and my craft room most of the day...whatever your up to today have a fantastic relaxing one and watch out for those head butting bees lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - stormy sky

dress and shoes - tattered rose, tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

dude card...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fab weekend...what did you get up too? anything exciting...we didn't go on our picnic as I decided I would rearrange the garden furniture and of course after that's done you have to put the plants in the right place...I must admit it does look good now even if I do say so myself...I was sitting on the swing seat taking a breather and looking around...you can tell I make cards as all the colours are co-ordinating and in sections...a little OCD in fact...I will take some more photos of the change and show you all on Wednesday as I have another card to show you tomorrow...yes I know all these cards are unexpected aren't they...I think my mojo has been kick started by the garden...thank goodness as I was beginning to think it wasn't going to come back...right now onto my card for today which is using this fantastic Skateboard Schoolboy from Mo's Digital Pencil...perfect for all those boy/teenager cards, he has that teenage stoop attitude doesn't he lol...Mo always has the knack of drawing images we really need doesn't she...a sign of a true artist. I coloured him with my usual distress inks and even used some of the dreaded red (it gets everywhere and I end up looking like I have poured it over my hands when I'm finished lol)...the fabulous papers are from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Freedom...I love this pad for men/boy cards its a great colour combo for them...I finished with a rub on sentiment from my stash and a few buttons...the pad and buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is another from Tuesday Morning Challenge but I'm too late to enter it I think, but I'm also entering it for the Digi Haven Challenge and the Creative Corner Challenge too...we are heading out again today, well you don't waste days off work do you lol...haven't a clue where yet but I'm planning a sneaky trip to Ikea if I can convince Phil its essential (I hear you all saying good luck with that Mina lol) Im not holding out much hope of going really as its Phil s last day off before going back he might just fancy a chilling kinda day instead...whatever your up to today I hope your out and about and having a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit & skateboard - pumice stone, faded jeans, tumbled glass, Barn door, antique linen

forever blowing bubbles...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy the hop yesterday and I hope you didn't forget to leave your comments along the way for a chance to win some prizes...it was really hazy and foggy here yesterday still dry and hot though but we didn't get the hottest day of the year that was promised...so we are still looking forward to that...we had to head to some garden centres yesterday because we had a minor garden crisis...something was eating the leaves of all our gorgeous new plants and leaving them like lace and on close inspection they are infested with tiny caterpillar type larvae and aphids so although I'm against using chemicals I don't like the idea of killing the good guys too but we had to get something to stop them in their tracks before the sweet pea were devastated to death didn't we...I managed to find an organic spray so Phil sprayed everything yesterday evening and we will see what happens...keeping my fingers and toes all crossed....oh btw I took some photos of the decking now its all flowery and colourful and will post them next week for you to see if your interested that is of course lol...but good thing is B&Q was our first try for a spray and we spotted a bargain two seater seat swing and couldn't resist buying it for the garden...well who can resist a bargain for the garden eh but I was cursing it after two hours of putting it together lol...right now onto my card for today and yes I actually managed to make one lol...how cute is this little darling...shes from the incredibly cheap C.C. Designs Sweet November Mermaids set, I think this set is a bargain for three stamps...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used some Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust to glitter her tail and top...the papers and sentiment are from the Kaisercraft - Miss Empire 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...aren't those colours so lush....I finished with a few scattered pearls from the Mixed Bag of 3mm Flat backed Pearls, a bow made from Organza Ribbon - Orange (25mm Wide) and a single jade coloured rose...everything except the rose is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Inspire Me Friday Challenge and the Creative Corner Challenge too...Phil's off work tomorrow so he's had a long weekend this weekend its a Bank holiday here, he's getting a bit bored to be honest and I think we need to head out today so I was thinking maybe a picnic or something similar, what do you take on a picnic?, we love to take little tapas type things and a few sandwiches and of course dessert...whatever your up to today I hope you get out and about and have some fun too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - gathered twigs, antique linen

eyes - peeled paint

tail and top - shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

hop hop hopping along...

Good morning everyone are you all melting in this heat...I love it don't you...although its the great British pastime having a good old moan about the weather isn't it, I stood in the supermarket the other day listening to people moaning "its too hot", "I'm sick of this heat aren't you" and was thinking it was just a few weeks ago the same people were moaning about the cold and rain...poor Mother nature just cant win can she lol...anyway are you enjoying our new Summer Adorables blog hop...aren't they just stunning and like all the adorables they are a dream to colour, they are on sale now at Funky Kits bet you don't just get one...if your on the hop you should have arrived here from the fabulous

FIONA'S

blog and if you would like to join in from the beginning just pop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog to join in...oh and don't forget your comments on our blogs for a chance to win some goodies...you don't want to miss that chance do you

I got to colour the stunning Summer Smiles for my card...beautiful isn't she?...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used papers from the gorgeous My Mind's Eye - Oxford Lane 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a smile cardboard sentiment from my stash, some buttons and cut some glasses from the paper pad for an embellishment...the next stop on the hop is the lovely

JANE

who has a stunner of a card to show you...isnt it amazing how you can give a group the same images and they come up with so many beautiful original makes

 

enjoy the rest of the hop, dont forget your comments and enjoy the sunshine this weekend but be careful and don't burn, theres nothing worse than sunburn in the heat is there...have a good one

Mina xxx

 

challenges entered

Feeling Sketchy Challenge

Can you digi it Challenge

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge

your gonna love these...

Good morning everyone I'm still totally mojoless but wanted to let you know about the brand new Summer Adorables release from Sugar Nellie on Saturday your gonna totally love these I promise you, the Adorables are some of my all time favourite images ever...I will be in the blog hop as usual (phew thank goodness my card is already made) and there will be prize's too...it starts at 10am tomorrow morning over at the Sugar Nellie blog so will speak to you all then...have a great day

Mina xxx

the good, the not so good and the missing...

Good morning everyone I spent hours sitting in my craft room yesterday gazing at images and papers and sorting through embellishments and....nothing...my mojo is missing...I don't know what Ive done with it or if its hiding behind one of the sofas or under a bed but I cant for the life of me find it...Im thinking of having posters made lol...if you find a sad little mojo wandering around with a vacant look in its eyes then please send it home...I'm going to take today and give my craft room a little tidy because you never know which paper pad it may be in do you...right now onto the good and not so good news from the surgeon...well good news is they are going to operate and even better news they might be able to do it by keyhole surgery so would just be a day procedure...then not so good (there's always gotta be one hasn't there)...I need an MRI because some of the blood tests show that one or more stones could have migrated (his word not mine but don't you love it, it makes me think my gallstones as little birds flying south for the winter lol)...that means if they haven't they need to find out what the blood tests mean or if they have I might need more than one operation...ggggrrrrooooaaaannnn....its little wonder my mojo has packed its little bags and gone on the wander...so please bear with me a little while so I can sort out my head or mojo or both dependent on which is the easiest...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fabulously fun one

Mina xxx

a winner...

Good morning everyone...hows your week going?, good I hope...I had good news and not so good news from the surgeon yesterday but more about that later when I pop back with a card post...yes I know don't all faint at once I will have a card to show today lol...before that though I thought I would pop on to announce the winner of this months

Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly Candy

thank goodness the random number thingy chooses the winner

I would hate to have to

this months its

No 20

and that is......drum roll please

MOJCA

huge massive congratulations Mojca could you please email me your address and I will pass your details onto the lovely Nikki so your candy can be on its way to you...be back later with a card so I will speak to you soon

Mina xxx

a complete stunner...

Good morning everyone are you all enjoying this amazing weather?...fingers crossed it lasts at least until December, well a girl hope cant she lol...I couldn't get near my craft room yesterday as its in direct sun all day and was like a sauna so cards will have to wait or I will have to get up at 5am to get some done and that ain't happening any time soon...so for today I decided to show you a hidden gem we discovered on our travels...I saw a sign while we were driving for Johnstown Castle but after looking it up discovered it was also a Department of Agriculture research centre so we weren't holding out much hope for a good day...boy were we wrong

this place is amazing...after driving down to the car park and getting out in the middle of a forest we walked around a corner to the most amazing castle I have ever seen...the scale is hard to explain but Phil sneaked into the one below with the plants around the lake you can see them in front of the castle above and that will give you some idea of the size of it

would you believe you can get married in the castle but it isn't open to the public we were gutted but had a few nosey moments looking through the windows lol

this is just walking around the top of the lake where I made a new friend...a gorgeously cute miniature Daschund...he was sssssssoooooooo cute and although his owner said he wasn't very friendly but he took a real shine to me and even gave me a lick...I did think about a snatch and run but knew it was too far back to the car lol...I so could have taken him home though...it was so beautiful and peaceful and we enjoyed a picnic in the grounds for our lunch

this one was taken from the other side of the lake...I couldn't resist those stunning trees...look at the colour of the red one

we were just coming back to the castle when I turned round and spotted this view of a lakeside garret we had just been too...I got a beautiful photo looking up from the inside as well as this view one but would you believe some ignorant little....er.....person (notice I resisted swear words although they certainly deserve it) has written graffiti all over this beautiful lakeside retreat...sorry there were so many photos but I kept them small so if you want to see them bigger just click on them...I'm off to see the surgeon today so will report back tomorrow and will hopefully heat permitting have a card to show you...if you don't hear from me send at least 6 hunky fireman with lots of water and ice to rescue me from my sauna craft room lol...have a brilliant day everyone and I hope you enjoyed the photos

Mina xxx

back with a flourish of pink and white...

Good morning everyone did you miss me?...did you notice I was gone lol...well I'm back from our little break, we had a fantastic time and would you believe only had one day of rain...wow is that some kind of record I wonder lol...well what did you all get up too in my absence? anything exciting or spectacular, go on spill the bean.  County Wexford is one of Ireland's most stunning counties I think...its very like Devon and lots to do and see too...and strawberries everywhere you look in fact after a six hour epic car journey down there when we arrived we couldn't drive to our hotel as the annual Strawberry festival was in its last throws and the finish was in full swing right beside the hotel but with a bit of canny Galaxy tablet GPS manoeuvring we finally managed to get to the car park and find a space dumped our bags and headed to the celebrations...brilliant street market with food, music and celebrations...I was a bit miffed Phil wouldn't let me get my face painted but we enjoyed it anyway lol...when we finally crashed into bed that night despite a couple of hotel disappointments which I will tell you about tomorrow we were shattered but content...I have loads and loads of photos but will only put you through a few I think you will like so don't panic lol...right now enough waffling and onto my card for today which is for our new monthly Challenge at Bunny Zoe's...this month the theme is Pink and White, I love this colour combo don't you...for my card I used this oh so gorgeous stamp from the Magnolia Special Moments collection she's called Tilda with Little Hat isn't she so so sweet (shes on sale atm too)...shes coloured with distress inks I masked her up and stamped a frame from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Miss Empire Frames set and cut them both out, the sentiment I used on on of the tags is from the same stamp set too, the lush papers and tags are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories...I added a white satin ribbon bow and finished with a gorgeous flower from the Prima Flowers Perle Bebe - Almanac pack and a scattering of Flat Backed Pearls...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the No Matter Which Challenge, Addicted to Stamps Challenge and The Ribbon Girl Challenge too...when I went into my craft room last night to make a couple of cards for this week the images I had pre coloured before going away had been sitting in the sun and were so faded I could harder see them duh lol...so its back to the drawing board...I might not have a card made for tomorrow but if I haven't I will probably bore you to bits with some holiday photos and some tales so be warned lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to enjoy some sunshine

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - black soot

dress, hat and gloves - spun sugar, black soot

shading - pumice stone

flowers and leaves on frame - spun sugar, victorian velvet, peeled paint, shabby shutters

yeehaw grumpy...

Good morning everyone...well did you miss me? well I'm still not here technically lol...I'm travelling home today so wont be home until late as we plan to stop a couple of places on the way back...oooohhhh we do love a good wander...my card for today is using this fantastic image...now guess who drew this fab guy...it could only be Mo from Mo's Digital Pencil couldn't it...look at that face lol...hes called Yeehaw and I coloured him with my usual distress inks...the fantastic papers are from the Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Colour Me Happy...it certainly colours me happy, I love this super coloured pad and they are perfect for any type of card, the pad is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a scattering of buttons from my stash...I was going to give this card to Phil for his Birthday but thought twice about it...he's seriously not this grumpy...well not yet anyway lol...well I will be back and posting tomorrow so will catch up with everything then hopefully...speak to you all soon...have a lovely relaxing Sunday everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

hat - barn door, peeled paint

shirt - pumice stone

cardigan - faded jeans

shading - pumice stone