a sneak peek...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic day yesterday, Phil loved his watch and for some weird reason kept telling me the time all night, he reminded me of a kid with their first watch lol, Im happy to report the dress doesnt fit...its too BIG wwwoooohhhooooo...on a more serious note did you all see that Amy Winehouse died how shocking is that...what a total waste of a young talented life, she was only 27, just a year older than my Daughter, my heart goes out to her loved ones, and the horrific shocking news from Norway... all those teenagers enjoying their holidays and that happens...I listened to the stories with rising feeling of horror and panic yesterday and how crazy was it that he is supposed to be christian...the world is going crazy rapidly isn't it...I gave my Dad and Phil and extra tight hug yesterday and rang my Daughter just to hear her voice last night as the Norway tragedy really got to me, such a sad waste...my card for today is a sneak peek for you of one of the new release stamps from Crafts and Me, this is one of the new Art Deco stamps, in fact its so new it doesn't even have a name yet...this is a sample card for the Stamparama Show in Stevenage on the 14th August, this and loads of other stamps will be released that day...oooohhhhh wish I was going to be there....I coloured this stunning Art Deco couple with distress inks and the lush paper is from Prima Madeline collection and is called Skyward, its quite hard making samples as they have to be much smaller than I'm used to making and as flat as possible so they have less risk of being damaged, so all I used was some of the butterflies cut from the lush paper...I'm entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge as the paper has newspaper print on it...I'm off to raid the attic today, well what I really mean is Phil will be draggng it all down for me to see whats there...whatever your up to today have a safe and enjoyable day
Mina xxx
p.s. sorry about the blurred photos but my camera is having a bit of a hissy fit atm

Its our second Birthday so celebrate at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and enjoying our fabulous sunshine, make the most of it because you know what our weather is like it could be snowing by tomorrow lol...we have a really special prize this week as its our 2nd Birthday at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge...to celebrate the fantastic Simon Says Stamp is giving a massive $50 gift voucher for their store, how amazing is that and how much could you buy with that lot you lucky people you, of course our challenge this week is Birthday, so anything to do with Birthday using either a Magnolia or hAnglar image...I used this fantastic new Magnolia mini world Tilda from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, they are Leaning Tilda and Tilda with Balloon , they really are little mini versions of the big ones, I thought with the size they would lose a bit of definition but they don't..the butterfly paper is Magnolia Butterfly dreams paper pack, the sentiment circle and script paper are Kaisercraft Secret Bird society paper pack, I finished it with some ribbons, string and Thickers glittered letters...of course I couldn't resist scattering more butterflies about too...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and Im also entering this for the DYSU Scallops challenge (I know they are hard to see but I promise they are there) and the Papertake Weekly Truly dimensional challenge too...I'm doing some washing and ironing for our holidays today, I hate leaving things to the last minuet, I'm one of those super organised travellers that has lists for everything, well that's what people think anyway its really that without the lists we would end up with empty suitcases and me saying I think I have forgotten something when we are at the airport...when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia and see what the rest of our wonderful team came up with, have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

A bit of Hope and a glittery Mum - Sugar Nellie DT

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have something fabulous planned for the weekend...Phil came home last night and had a look at the holiday I had put together and is chuffed to bits about it, I think he needs a couple of weeks relaxing and chilling out he works very hard bless him...our anniversary is actually Monday so to celebrate 35 years and as a thank you for getting me to an amazing 275,000 hits I will be giving away some yummy candy on Monday so keep an eye out for it...I think you will like the goodies, I do and wouldnt mind winning them myself...my card for today is for the Sugar Nellie DT and I used the Sugar Bowl sketch for it too, this is the stunningly beautiful Hope isnt she just gorgeous, I coloured her with Distress inks and teamed her up with these lush Prima Jack & Jill papers the lush glittery gold and the cream flowers are Primas and the gorgeous blingy letters are Papermania...I added some ribbons and bows from my stash to finish...Im entering this for the Papertake weekly Its a Mom thing challenge, Simon says Stamp Mothers Day challenge and the DYSU shine on challenge too...have a wonderful Saturday everyone, Im off to drag Phil around the craft shops as I think he owes me a big pressie dont you Mina xxx

Do you fancy a game of bingo - Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge week 99-Pops choice-Bingo card

Good morning everyone well I'm happy to say there was no supermarket rage yesterday, we did seem to meet a lot of people we knew and struggled to get around without stopping to chat, well its polite isn't it and has nothing to do with I could talk the hind legs off a donkey of course...message from Phil he thanks you all so much for volunteering to come with me to Majorca but you can all take a running leap as he isn't giving up his place for no one...some people eh lol...my card for today is for our new challenge over at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge which this week is Pops choice and she made us a fabulous Bingo card to pick what you wanted to use, I chose Pins, Buttons and ribbon...I have only ever been to Bingo once when I was in my 30's I went with my Mum, but only once as she wouldn't take me again as I nodded off lol...I used this amazing Tilda with Flowerpot I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card, I love this new Butterfly range don't you...shes coloured with Distress inks and I paper pieced her coat with these lush Echo Park papers this is from the Little Boy collection and is called Rad Plaid, but I think these colours work with anything don't you, I got mine from Crafter's & co...I think the sentiment is from a set I bought at Simon says stamp and instead of ordinary pins I used coloured safety pins in the corners and added a ribbon and buttons from my stash...I love these gorgeous colours together don't you...the sketch is from my fav sketch site Mojo Monday and when you have time pop on over to Just Magnolia and have a look at the rest of our DT's wonderful work...I have loads to catch up on today so better get a wiggle on...have a brilliant day everyone
Mina xxx

p.s. did you see I won the Whimsy Stamp blog hop grand prize and...wwwwwwoooooohhhhhoooo I have been told they always come in threes so cant wait to see whats next lol

You cant beat a bit of Pink and Green - Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge week 98 - Your favourite colour combo

Good morning everyone...wow you all loved yesterdays blog hop and thank you all so much for your fabulous comments, I will pay you all a visit today and thank you all for buying the Mo's image for Japan its been a huge success, you can see how much Mo has collected on her Facebook page...I'm not up to much today and I'm still trying to muster up the energy to tidy my craft room, if one or two of you want to volunteer I am sure I can find some stash for you as a reward, see how much I'm willing to do to get it tidied...I really must get my butt into gear and get it done...my card for today is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge and this week it was our lovely teamie Michelles choice and she chose 'Your favourite colour combo', guess what I chose lol...well it had to be pink and green didn't it, I always think it is such a fresh spring like combo don't you. I chose this fab hAnglar from the new With Attitude set, shes great isn't she and she always makes me smile, its the strop I think

I coloured her with Distress inks and teamed her up with these lush Prima 6x6 Paper Pad Sparkling Spring which I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts I cut around the shaped paper and then cut the card around it, I think the shape works well don't you, I finished my card with a banner stamped with a sentiment, a bow and three yummy frosted Prima flowers from Simon Says Stamp...the sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp Birthday challenge...when you have time hop on over to Just Magnolia and have a look at the rest of the amazing DT's creations...wow...right I'm off for a coffee and talk myself into tidying...have a fantastic day everyone whatever your up to today
Mina xxx

A breath of Spring-Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge-Monthly special-Anything goes

Good morning everyone oooohhhhhh we had sunshine all day yesterday and the forecast says sunshine today too, its still chilly but the sunshine is lovely and the added bonus is better photos...my card for today is for our special monthly challenge over at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & stAnglar challenge so that means anything goes...I decided a springlike card was needed as soon as I got these amazing papers from Prima aren't they just lush, this is the Melody 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...how perfectly does it go with this beautiful Magnolia stamp...I cut around the frame on this sheet of paper as I liked the look of the crooked frame, I think it works well don't you

the flowers are from Prima too, I'm loving their new flowers, they are such pretty girlie colours and all that lovely frosting on them, like sugary sweets, these are from Simon says Stamp...I finished with a few double loops of ribbon and a scattering of pearls...ohhhh a few people have asked me about what colours of Distress inks I use for skin...I use Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Tattered rose for my skin tones...hope that's some help...I'm also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge which is a recipe (2papers, 1 image and 3 types of embellishments) and the Creative Inspirations in the garden challenge...I haven't a clue what I'm up to today might even get a little tidying done in my craft room (yeah right lol)...I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you today and when you have time dont forget to pop on over to Just Magnolia to have a look at the rest of the DT's amazing work
Mina xxx
I knew I shouldnt have mentioned the sunshine...its raining lol xxx

a new colour combo for me-Colour Create challenge 64 DT card-Sharons choice-choice of three fruit colours+Mojo Monday 179+DYSU challenge

Good morning everyone...there's still no sign of the elusive stamp, do you think the Magnolia stamps in the box come to life at night, make a mess of my craft room then hide maybe...I really must stop drinking herbal tea you know lol...I know I will find it somewhere I have put it for safe keeping its just remembering where I stashed it but the good news is at least my mojo has come out from under my bed at last...my card for today is an unusual combination for me its for our new challenge at Colour Create...our wonderful Sharon made a brilliant choice this week, three fruit colours...I chose Melon, Kiwi and Banana, the papers are from Prima, lush colours aren't they and the beautiful image is from Sugar Nellie and called Verity, I coloured her with Distress inks and used some yellow ribbons and a saddle stitched ribbon bow, the fab ticket sentiment is made with a clear ticket stamp and a Friend stamp combined, the papers and ticket stamp are from Simon says Stamp...I finished with some pearls...the amazing sketch is from Mojo Monday, I love their sketches and Im enetering it in the DYSU anything goes challenge...thanks to everyone who joined in my colour combo last week and I hope you will give it a go again this week, when you have time pop on over to Colour Create and have a look at what the rest of our amazing team made...I'm off to the Supermarket with my Dad today oh and coffee too of course so we can read the papers and have a few rants about the news and put the world to rights, now if only they would put us in charge of a few countries we would all be sorted lol...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

a little bit of cupcake and kitten love-Mojo Monday 175+Belles & Whistles challenge anything but winter+Simon says stamp challenge Animal Antics

Good morning everyone I have been trying my best over the last couple of days to do some commenting but either Mr Blogger or my connection isnt playing ball but I will defo catch up over the next few days I promise...boy have I had a lucky candy week, firstly I won a $25 voucher for Simon says Stamp, which I am so struggling to chose from their vast shop, then the amazing Stempelglede stamp over at Jane's blog...then yesterday I won the amazing array of ribbons from Monica...see you win nothing for ages and ages then three come along at once, oh boy am I gonna play...maybe I should do the lotto this weekend just in case...my card for today is using this stunning Cupcake stamp from Belles and Whistles, I love love love this gorgeous stamp and always enjoy colouring it, I used distress inks for her and teamed her up with these lush Basicgrey Kioshi 6x6 papers and I used the fab Whimsy Love Letter Seals stamp set these are both from Bunny Zoe's crafts and of course Nikki stocks Belles and Whistles too but I think cupcake is out of stock, I finished with some thin satin ribbon from my stash...the fab sketch is Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Belles & Whistles Anything but Winter challenge and hope I'm not stretching it to enter it for the Simon says Stamp Animal antics challenge too, well there is a kitten on it lol...haven't a clue what I'm doing today may just go out for lunch with my lovely Phil, whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant day
Mina xxx

pretty in pink - Bunny Zoe's Crafts DT + Sketch Saturday week 138

Me again everyone this time with a card, if your looking for the Bunny Zoe's Crafts winner its just below...my card today is for the DT at Bunny Zoe's Crafts so everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's, the sketch is from Sketch Saturday...by the way did you see I won last weeks Sketch Saturday how brilliant is that, oh no how to pick from Simon Says stamp now though...I think my colouring has been a bit off since going to England but hope fully it will get better, I coloured this darlings hair to try and make it look princess shiny but it just looks like I have missed bits...isn't she just beautiful though, shes from CC Designs Sweet November range and is called Lilliane, I used distress inks to colour her and teamed her up with these amazingly lush papers from one of the new Kaisercraft 6x6 paper pads this one is called English Rose, I love the muted shades, you can almost smell roses, the roses are cut from another sheet pf the same paper pad...the sentiment on the side is a cut up Whimsy Love Letter Seal this is a fab set and I will use it loads and loads...right that's it for today, I promise no more today, phew I hear you say lol...have a fantastic Sunday, we are going to look at some houses as I have decided to move closer to the the town where I live because when Phil's away working I feel a tad isolated where I am, well that's what I told Phil but its so I can go shopping when I want really.... so wish me luck
Mina xxx

A serious temptation for you - Just Magnolia challenge week 64-Bevs sketch + Sweet Stampin challenge 34 - Things with wings

Good morning everyone...now before I get onto my card today I am going to tempt you...oh no I hear you cry lol...the brand new Magnolia Bon Voyage collection is on Bunny Zoe's crafts and wow there is loads of them, gorgeous designs bet you will be hard pushed to pick what to buy, I was so wanting them all but managed to buy 4 to start with...it is my darling Husband Phil's birthday today so if your reading this...see you later sweetheart and Happy Birthday, I was going to buy you the whole set of Magnolia but thought you wouldn't appreciate it lol...right now onto today's card which because its Friday means its a new challenge over at Just Magnolia which this week is another stunning sketch by our wonderful Bev...I used this fabulous little Bumble bee Tilda coloured with Distress inks and the incredible papers are from Pink Paislee Queen bee paper pad, aren't they just so lush...I used some satin ribbon and yellow pearls for the side pieces and the circle sentiment is a chipboard piece from the matching set and the sentiment is from a set I bought from Simon says stamp...I finished with a couple more yellow pearls and a sparkly prima flower, I'm entering this for the Sweet Stampin challenge of things with wings too...I hope you like it and when you have time don't forget to hop on over to Just Magnolia and have a look at the amazing work by the rest of the DT...have a fabulous day everyone

Mina xxx

Just Magnolia-Week 56 Janes sketch

Good morning everyone, I'm officially pooped (technical term for knackered lol), I have had such a busy week and my class ran late last night so by the time I got home I tried 5 times to do some blog hopping but kept nodding off...oops...huge thanks for all the wonderful comments you left me yesterday I appreciate every single one of them and I will get round to everyone I promise...its Friday so of course its time for our Just Magnolia challenge and wow wow wow how many of you entered last week you all loved the Girly challenge and this week we have a fabulous sketch from our wonderful Jane for you all and its a fabby one...I used my very favourite Tilda...this little Jam Tilda is such a little darling and perfect for any occasion, I coloured her with Distress ink and used these super amazing new Basicgrey Cappella paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I love this paper pad so much when its finished I might have to buy another one, to finish my card I used these stunning crystal scrolls from Simon Says Stamp, lush arn't they and I made a bow from ribbons from my stash...I hope you like it...I will have a card tomorrow but on Sunday Im going to answer all the questions I have been asked about my cards by email so if theres anything you would like to ask me just leave a message in the comments and I will do my best...don't forget to hop on over to Just Magnolia when you have the time and see the rest of the wonderful JM girls work...enjoy the rest of your day everyone
Mina xxx

Colour Create DT Card Challenge 44 - Deanne's choice - Cream, Aqua, Chocolate, and Khaki + Our DT call + Simon says Challenge - Celebration

Good morning everyone, I went with my Dad yesterday to order his new car...can someone please explain to me why with all the fab colours you can get in cars a man would want the silver one...I managed to change his mind for a dusky blue illusion metallic one though by pointing out how many silver ones there was in the car park lol...my card today is for our new challenge over at Colour Create challenge, its our lovely teamie Deanne's (who is sadly leaving our little band of crafters) choice this time and its a fabulous choice too theres an added option of Circles too...I used one of my fab new stamps I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, its a set from the Greeting Farm called Grammie and Gramps, isnt this Granpa just so gorgeous, hes coloured with Distress inks and his cardigan is paper pieced, I wanted to keep the layout kinda retro funky like and simple as I thought it matched the image well...the papers are a mixture from different paper pads and I added some ribbon and buttons from my stash to keep to the circle option and finished with a stamped label on the side using the sentiments from the set...Im entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge too as its a birthday card for a friends Grandpa's birthday...I hope you like it

check out our fantastic prize this week...our fantastic Di is going rubber, her brilliant designs are being made into stamps at the Pixie cottage and the set is our prize this week you lucky people...dont forget hop on over to Colour Create to have a look at the rest of our wonderful DT's creations
Mina xxx

DT CALL

We have a couple of spaces for some new people to join us on our fab design team. Do you like working with a colour theme when making your creations? Do you fancy joining our fantastic design team for 6 months? If so, all you need to do is to create a brand new project using this week's challenge colours and optional extra. Let us know you are interested in the DT call by either adding the letters 'DT' to your link in Mr Linky or, you can e-mail us at colourcreatechallege@gmx.co.uk (remember to tell us what your Mr Linky number is and please title your e-mail 'DT CALL').
As a DT member you will need to make one project for this challenge every 2 weeks. The project needs to include both the challenge colours and the optional extra. We are not aligned to any company so you'll be free to use any images or products that you like in your creations. We do have a rota for commenting so you will need to comment on the entries assigned to you.
The DT call will close on Wednesday 19th May at 6.00 p.m. GMT and it is open to everyone world wide. Please don't be put off if you don't normally make cards because this call is open to everyone and we'd love to see some other types of projects represented on our DT. The decision will be made by everyone on our design team and I bet you all make it really hard for us! ;o)
Anyway, the lucky people will be informed as soon as possible after 21st May.

Mojo Monday - 136

Good morning everyone, Im still getting the hang of my new camera and still battling to get the light and colour true, no luck so far though the brown is much more chocolaty and the green much more vivid than the photo shows but never mind...my very quick card for today is for Mojo Mondays new challenge, wow I love their sketches so much, I used this stunning little house mouse stamp I won from the fabulous Lorraines Simon says Stamp candy, the one she has every fortnight for the challenges...I coloured the image with Distress inks, the macro is so detailed on this camera I must remember to not do anymore fast cards as it shows all the mistakes lol...arnt these Cosmo Cricket Earth Love collection and this one is called Recycle...I finished with some chocolate ribbon and bow and a couple of gold pins with heart shaped glass beads on them...I hope you like it and enjoy the rest of your day everyone
Mina xx