its becoming an addiction...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...well and happy?...bbbbrrrrr its freezing here and the ground is white with hailstones, so here it comes...oh no run away lol...poor Phil in the hope of kick starting my festive mojo got all the Christmas decorations from the attic, I had a little rummage through them but nope no festive spirit popped up yet...I seriously need help to get some festivity from somewhere so all suggestions gratefully accepted I mean for goodness sake even the Marks and Spencer's ads aren't working lol...right now my card for today...this Sugar Nellie Simply adorable is one of my all time favourites...hes called Nathan and like all the adorable's hes a dream to colour...I used my distress inks and teamed him up with some stunning papers from the Carta Bella So this is christmas 6x6 paper pad, I'm sorry to say that I bought the last one from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...oops lol...but there are loads of other Christmas pads to choose from...I added a spotty bow and finished with a mixture of buttons from the button packs at Bunny Zoe's...buttons are beginning to become a bit of an addiction for me aren't they...the fabulous sketch is from the Mojo Monday Challenge I love love love their sketches...I'm also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Lady Anne's Challenge too...if the weather wasn't so white here I think I would go for a little mooch in town but the way my legs go from underneath me I'm as dangerous in snow as one the stairs so may just stay put...I think a bit of safe crafting sitting on my lush comfy office chair is called for instead what do you think?...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are its warm and cosy, I wont be around tomorrow but will be back on Thursday with my Mo's Digital Pencil monthly blog hop post

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - tumbled glass

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

top - antique linen, faded jeans

bear - stormy sky, pumice stone, spun sugar

Oh and before I forget theres a brand new Winter Wonderland release this weekend at Funky Kits...so of course Sugar Nellie is having a unveiling so I will be back for that too xxx

too many questions...

 Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy and having a brilliant week...well its official poor Phil has man flu or as we women call it a head cold lol...I text him at work yesterday to see how he was and he took a couple of hours to text back with 'Im too weak to text you'...er...you just did, daft bugger that he is lol...he will be grand with some more hot lemon drinks...it seems that the summer has returned here and my rose bushes have sprung into life again, I wish they would make their minds up...now the question to cut them or not to cut them...I love having them indoors but don't want to stop it blooming...all you super talented gardeners out there should be able to tell me I think...now before I get onto my card for today a quick question for you, are these photos blurred?, I'm not sure if they are blurred or its my eyes or my rapidly ageing laptop...let me know if they look a bit blurry to you please....I have had a lot of questions for you all today haven't I...you must be thinking I only came here to see a card not take a quiz lol...btw brilliant news my Daughters friend is much better and out of intensive care thank goodness my heart sank when I first heard it, all Mothers feel for any family going through something like that don't they..ok no more waffle onto my card for today...don't you just love this sweetheart of a stamp? (oops another question), shes from Sugar Nellie and is from the Diane Duda collection of stamps...this is the stunning Peace Angel coloured with my usual distress inks...she would be just perfect for a Christmas card but I couldn't resist using this amazing paper and cutting to my hearts content from it...these papers are from the beautiful Bo Bunny Gabrielle 6x6 paper pad...I cut butterflies out and lay them over the flat ones but a little off so they I could try to make them look like they were moving, a couple more cut from another sheet from the pad and all I added was some stunning swirls from the Prima Say It In Crystals Mini Swirls - Divine set from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I didn't really use a sketch and just let the papers dictate the layout but am entering it for the C is for Challenge, Crafty Cardmakers Challenge and the Lady Anne's Challenges too...I'm heading to my craft room this morning armed with bin bags and cleaning stuff its desperately in need of a good clean and there's no more putting it off as the floor is covered in double sided tape backing strips...wish me luck I will need it lol...whatever your up to today wherever you are I hope its a lovely warm sunny day for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

dress - evergreen bough, tattered rose

bird - evergreen bough, tattered rose

eyelids - evergreen bough

shading - pumice stone

Happy New Year...

Good morning everyone

HAPPY NEW YEAR

to you all and I hope 2013 brings Health, wealth and happiness to you and those you love, did you have fun last night...anyone go to any parties?...we did nothing at all in fact Phil was in bed way before midnight as he had to get up for work this morning so I saw the New Year in on my own which I didn't mind really as we don't normally celebrate it anyway...but then we are all just so grateful they have jobs there are so many out there still looking for one...2012 was a mixed year for us first there was our Daughters then Phil's redundancy, but luckily they found new jobs quite quickly...then it was losing the farmhouse in the South of Ireland but then Phil coming home and us finding this beautiful house we have now...so some bad things and some very good...I hope 2013 isn't so topsy turvy though and that the blessing of everyone being in pretty good health stays...right now onto my first card of the year...this stunner is one of the Simply Adorable digis from Sugar Nellie...my all time favourite range (p.s. theres news below of some new ones too)...this is the beautiful Rebecca...I coloured her very simply with distress inks and used a couple of scrap sheets of papers from pads I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a stamped sentiment from a Kaisercraft sentiment set and some thickers numbers for the date...its quite cas for me isn't it...not even a ribbon lol...I'm entering this for the Stampin' for the Weekend challenge, Hotshot Craft blog challenge and the Lady Anne's challenge too...

right now onto our news from Sugar Nellie

theres a brand new release this week and they are the amazing Vintage Adorable's...you are going to fall in love with these cuties so hard I bet...of course there is a hop to celebrate the release, with prizes as always too...so keep the date in your diary's and make a date to join us on the Sugar Nellie blog on Saturday 5th January...I'm off to prep the dinner for tonight's get together not one of my favourite jobs but it needs done if we are to eat I guess lol, whatever your up to today I hope its a great one

Mina xxx

Magical...

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

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

dress - pumice stone, milled lavender, spun sugar

glitter glue for feathers and lower part of dress

star...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fabulous weekend...we headed for Ikea yesterday, our beautiful Daughter and her other half needed to go and her car is still broken down so we decided we would make the sacrifice to take them (yeah right lol)...of course we didn't need anything at all and still managed to spend more than they did...£50 later and some massive bargains including a picture frame and poster to go in it...the picture frame is huge and was a bargain £7.50 but the poster was £7 reduced to £3.99...but when we got to the till he charged us £3.99 and then it was discounted £3.99 so it was free????...I asked him if that was right he says that's what it scanned so it must be...well who am I to argue?....ooooohhhhh I do love a bargain don't you, but that's ridiculous lol...after that we went and picked up our new Christmas tree for the kitchen but as we didn't get home until after 7pm we still don't have them up and I also bought new floaty curtains for the kitchen and would like to get them up first so maybe today but as Phil has the day off for Christmas shopping I don't hold out much hope...oh and we are getting my Christmas present today too, I have my eye on a pair of boots so Im hoping they have them in stock in our closest Clarks store or it means another trip to Belfast...such a shame lol...right now onto my card for today how lush is this fantastic stamp from Crafts and Me...its by the super talented Robin Pushay and is called Tree Top Blessings...such a beautiful Christmas image isn't it...I coloured her with distress inks and glittered just about everything I could think of...the star, her wings and the flames on the candles...the amazing papers are from Graphic45's Christmas Emporium Collection and is called Tis The Season...I finished my card with a gorgeously glittery Noel sentiment (this is a decoration I bought in the sales last year) and some pearls...I'm entering it for the Lady Anne's Challenge, Paperplay Challenge and the Totally Gorjuss challenge too...right I'm off to get the war paint on, a girl cant go boot shopping without her lippy can she girls...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair, dress, wings and shading - antique linen

tree - shabby shutter, peeled paint

reds - barn door

hair decorations - peeled paint, barn door

star - scattered straw

I so want that dress...

Good morning everyone are you having a fab weekend...anything nice planned?...we had loads of plans for this weekend we were going out to lunch then off to Belfast to the Christmas market opening then a visit with my Sister and her lovely family, all shot down in flames though as Phil's place have a massive audit starting on Monday and he has to work this weekend now...oh well it cant be helped can it so instead I'm off to a car boot sale with our beautiful Daughter and her other half instead...you never know what bargains you will pick up do you, I'm looking for some picture frames, different sizes and shapes, I have a feature for my hall wall in mind, I will show you if it works out...for the first time in a long long time I'm going to Phil's office works Christmas night out and I'm so so nervous, not about meeting everyone, I'm a friendly person I think and get on with most people, its what to wear...do I dress up because I'm always nervous I go overboard or do I go with trousers , high heeled boots and a nice top....aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh help...I asked Phil to ask some of the girls in the office what they were wearing but he refused saying he isn't going around asking everyone what they are wearing for it...I maintain they will know exactly why I'm asking don't you think so?...I can kinda see his point though, might come over just a tad creepy lol...now the dress this little beauty is wearing would be so wonderful to wear wouldn't it, so festive and feminine...although I don't have her legs lol...this is the beautiful Kraftin' Kimmie - Lola Lollipop and shes on sale for this weekend...all Kraftin' Kimmie and Magnolia stamps are a massive 20% off and there's a huge 15% off everything else across the whole store for this weekend at Bunny Zoe's Crafts so hop on over and pick up a massive bargain or two...I coloured Lola with distress inks and paper pieced her dress and bow with the same lush papers I used for the background and the cut out sentiment...they are from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Believe...I finished my card with some fabulous aged gingham ribbon, a piece of lace and a button to mimic her lollipop...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering it for the Lady Anne's Challenge and the Craft Punked challenge too...right I'm off to wrap up warm, I have a feeling I will need it at the car boot sale...whatever your up to today I hope you will be warm and cosy

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

lollipop - frayed burlap, barn door

dress shading - pumice stone

tights - pumice stone, frayed burlap

shoes - barn door

Shirley in wonderland...

Good morning everyone have you all had a good week...Phil has been working very late this week and I have missed our armchair chats every night as hes so tired poor thing when hes settles he falls asleep but it will even itself out I'm sure...we are ssssoooooooo looking forward to Christmas this year, it will be our first real Christmas together for 11 years, Phil always came home Christmas eve and went back on Boxing Day so we never ever had the chance to enjoy all the Christmas preparations etc together, but this year we are planning to go to every single thing that's going, carol services, lights being switched on, late night shopping everything we can jam in...I have never seen Phil so looking forward to it as he is, he has even been looking at wreaths for our front door and has narrowed it down to three that he really likes, I'm letting him go with it and whatever he picks will be wonderful...we are like a couple of kids looking forward to putting up our tree together and Phil says he would love lights outside so why not indeed lol...I thank my lucky stars every single day that he is home and we see each other every night and will never let us take it for granted ...aaaaahhhhhhhh ok enough slushy stuff Mina lol...onto my card for today how amazing is this beautiful Mo's Digital Pencil digi...look at that adorable face only Mo could draw...this is the stunning Shirley and doesn't she look like shes in wonderland with that amazing paper...it has no writing on it but I asked Sara who owns the shop I bought it from and she thinks its by DCWV...whatever make it is its beautiful I had fantastic fun cutting out all the bits for embellishments and with the paper there was definitely no need for anything else or it would have been crowded don't you think...of course I coloured her with my usual distress inks...I'm entering it for the Bearly-Mine Challenge, Lady Anne's Challenge and the Paper Shelter challenge...I'm off out today with my lovely Dad we bought him some reading glasses and I got a phone call at 11.30 last night which set me in a panic as he never rings that late, to tell me his leg had fallen off...his glasses leg not his leg of course lol...so we are off back to the shop to get them replaced, seriously they could last longer than 12 hours don't you think lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

dress - tattered rose, pine needles, barn door

hair ribbons - pine needles, barn door

shoes - pine needles