just a touch of the dreaded red...

Good morning everyone how are you all...I hope your all well and having fun this festive season...well at long long last our trees are up and one is even decorated...the other will be done this morning, I had forgotten that the one in the lounge is 7ft tall (not that we need a 7ft tree but it was too much of a bargain to miss) and we both are struggling to reach the top so the step ladders will have to come out to make sure we can get the star on...when its finished I will take a photo to let you all see...well how much Christmas shopping do you reckon I got yesterday...er...none lol...I made the mistake of popping into the craft shop and got kinda stuck there, there were far too many pretty things...by the time we came out the shopping urge had kinda gone of the boil so we headed home to light the roaring fire and snuggle down...well I did that Phil made some more Dundee cakes, everyone is loving them but its costing a fortune to make them all...I told him next year you will have to charge for ingredients...well all except the ones for my lovely Dad of course, you better get your orders in now girls lol...right now onto my card for today...I'm determined to get past this fear of the dreaded red distress inks so went mad and used loads of it today...this little cutie is another of the Valerie's from Mo's Digital Pencil...shes one of a set of three called Valerie in Winter, they are fantastic to colour and paper piece and such a bargain price for three stamps too...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with one of my favourite paper pads of this season...these are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Santa's List...the sentiment strips are cut from the same pad too...I added some buttons and a lush bow made with Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy, this makes fantastic bows being wired they are so easy to plump up even after they have been squashed...the pad and ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge and the Crafty Calender Challenge too...we really do need to start shopping today or nobody will get a gift from us at all...so I'm off to get sorted ready for going out...speak to you all tomorrow and whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant day for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

outfit - antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

MO'S DIGITAL PENCIL MONTHLY BLOG HOP TIME...

Good morning everyone...well have you got any of the white stuff yet where you are...ours has gone but it has been blowing up a storm for the last two days...bbbbbrrrrr...anyway enough weather forecasting...its time for our Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly blog hop again and of course as always there's a chance to win one of two $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil just for leaving comments...so don't forget them. Our theme this month is to Create a Gift Tag and you should have arrived here from the super talented

KALY

but if you didn't and you want to follow the hop and of course a chance to win, just pop on over to Alexandra's blog to start at the beginning

now I have never made a tag but decided I would instead of girlie and pretty I would go for a boy tag and used this fantastic Who Me? image for mine...I just love the look on his face don't you, so cheeky lol...I coloured him with my distress inks and used more of my favourite pad atm...I bought the lush Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Santa's List pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the sentiments and holly leaves I cut are from the same pad too...oh and btw can you spot the mistake...ssssshhhh the paper is upside down lol...I added some button berries and a button and ribbon at the top to finish...your next stop along the way on the hop is the fabulous

JAK

who as always will have something stunning to show you...I'm entering my tag for the Love To Scrap Challenge, Craft Your Passion Challenge, Cards for Men Challenge and Cute Card Thursday challenge too...Its supermarket day with my lovely Dad today so that means 'put the world to rights' coffee time too so I better get some war paint on...don't forget your comments along the way and enjoy the rest of the hop

Mina xxx 

distress ink colours used

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

hat, scarf and jacket - pumice stone, fired earth

gloves and boots - fired earth

jeans - stormy sky

hoping for joy...

Good morning everyone how was your weekend?...anything exciting?...we did nothing but Phil did do his bakeathon...he made my Dads Dundee cake and made pies and scones to his hearts content...he really filled the house with the most amazing smells...I don't know about all you lovely crafters but I really don't seem to be able to get into Christmas yet and the overload of decorations in the shops and advertising on tv is just annoying me atm and those singing ringing Christmas thingies are sssssoooooooo annoying lol...hopefully some Christmas spirit will hurry along soon...please...right now onto my card for today...how full of joy and happiness is this gorgeous Mo's Digital Pencil image in fact shes enough to put the christmas joy into any old scrooge lol...this is the stunning Hoppy Christmas...I just couldn't resist paper piecing her hat and stocking but coloured the rest of her using my usual distress inks...the stunning papers I used are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad -Santa's List...wow this pad is just stunning and has such an beautiful layout feel to it, I finished with a strip of glittery ribbon and a knot I kept from a gift our Daughter got ages ago (see never throw anything like this away)...the sentiment tag is from the same pad and I finished with three buttons from my stash...I bought the pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I turned the fab sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge upside down for my card and I'm also entering it for the Emerald Faeries Challenge and the Designed to Color Challenge too...I'm going to have a mega printing day today I have loads to print out and get colouring...I wonder is I can print out some festive spirit too lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a chilled relaxing one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

sweater - peeled paint

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

shading around image - antique linen

50 shades of grey and a splash of red...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a fantastic week and are all well and happy...things and problems are a little better now but not quite there just yet but poor little Sumo cat isn't well bless her...she spent the last three days at the vets on a drip and loads of tests, x rays, scans and tablets...shes well enough to be home now but still isn't well...she had an enlarged liver, a blocked bile duct and they have found a large lump on her x ray but they aren't sure what it is...it doesn't sound too good does it...it was horrendous three of us trying to get her to take her tablets last night and she spent ages frothing at the mouth the poor little thing...she isn't eating so we cant hide them in her food at all so any hints from all you cat owners out there would be fantastic...omg how horrendously expensive are vets its way over board already and the treatment hasn't finished yet...fingers crossed she stays ok as shes about 13 years old and doesn't look too bad for her age, a bit round on the hips but aren't we all when we are getting on a bit lol...keep all your bits crossed for her please...right now onto my card for today, I love love love this rubber stamp Saturated Canary don't you...shes is called Blanche and I couldn't resist the grey and red for her...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed her up with these stunning papers from Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Far & Away which I'm sorry to say is out of stock, but the stamp, rose and papers came from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I added a huge red checked bow and finished with a Ruffle Rose - Red just for another splash of red...I'm not keen on colouring with red distress inks because I always end up looking like I have been in a horror movie, it goes everywhere and always smudges but I really enjoyed colouring this beauty...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey Challenge too...I'm putting some war paint on and heading into town today I have been trapped in the house all week and feel a sudden urge for some retail therapy...have a great Saturday everyone and whatever your up too have fun...speak tomorrow

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair, eyes and dress - pumice stone

lips, frill and earrings - fired brick

not just for summer...

Good morning everyone how was your weekend, did you get up to anything exciting?...yesterday was just as wet and dark as the rest of the weekend here...boy isn't it hard taking photos when it gets dark and wet, even with my lamp this is the clearest photo I could get, I might try a bit later to get a better photo or two...depending on how dark it is this afternoon of course...my lovely Dad arrived in England safe and sound, I hope he has a fantastic time while hes there and gets loads of baby hugs...when my sister told me about the baby's birth I could actually smell him lol...must be a Mum thing what do you reckon...right now my card for today, it just goes to show you don't need to just keep those summer papers just for summer doesn't it...I coloured this amazing Mo's Digital Pencil digi with my usual distress inks and glittered and glittered to my hearts content with Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust (well all that snow and ice needs some sparkle doesn't it)...this is the gorgeous Igloo and the papers I used for it are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories, I so love it when I can use papers not meant for Christmas for my Christmas cards don't you...papers should definitely be multi seasonal tasking...I added a sentiment cut from the same pad and finished with a lush bow made with Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and a button...I had to get one in somewhere didn't I lol...everything except the Mo's Digital Pencil image and button is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Digitally Sweet Challenge and Sister Act Card Challenge too...I'm huddled in today, hatches battened down and fire on, fluffy dressing gown on and hot water bottle filled...boy I hate the cold can you tell lol...whatever your up to today I hope you get out and about and enjoy some sun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

dog - pumice stone, victorian velvet, black soot

jacket - pumice stone, victorian velvet

igloo - stormy sky

shading - stormy sky

the real Santa...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...are you getting the same weather we are?, its sopping wet here and hasn't stopped raining for at least 24 hours...everything is soaked through and It was coming down so hard we had rivers of rain running down our street yesterday evening...yucky weather...its still not cold yet and would you believe one of my roses is flowering again...roses at the end of October?, is that natural do you think...I had a really lazy day yesterday I hardly moved at all, in fact Phil thought I was sleeping when he came in I was so still lol...I feel a bit better for it today though thank goodness so just goes to show a duvet day every now and then does you the power of good...see I know it lol...today I'm off out with my Dad nothing too exciting just going baby clothes shopping, one of my Nieces is due to give birth in the next week and although I don't know what it will be I need to get something now so my Dad can take it with him when he flies over at the weekend, hes so excited for his first Great Grandchild's arrival...perfect excuse for buying something cute and gorgeous isn't it...right now onto my card for today...did you know that Santa shouldn't really be red suited...he was originally green or blue depending on which country you were in and the red Santa we all know and love is an invention of a well know soft drinks company (holidays are coming lol)...so I chose to colour this gorgeous Little Helpers digi from Sugar Nellie in green (well any excuse not to use too much of the dreaded red ink lol)...I used my distress inks for colouring and some stunning papers from the Teresa Collin's Designs Christmas Cottage 6x6 paper pad from my Christmas stash last year I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, that's the good thing about traditionally coloured Christmas papers isn't it, they don't date and you can use them year after year...I added some ribbon's and ruffled bow, a tag sentiment cut from the same pad and of course couldn't resist throwing some buttons in lol...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sketch Saturday Challenge, Allsorts Challenge and the C.R.A.F.T challenge too...I'm off to get some war paint on and believe me this week I need it before I head out...whatever your up to today I hope its a beautiful dry one for you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

bunny's - antique linen, pumice stone, peeled paint, fired brick

Santa - green is a mix of shabby shutters & peeled paint

belt & boots - black soot

shading - pumice stone

bag - frayed burlap

gifts - pumice stone, antique linen, peeled paint, firedbrick

image edge distressed in Stormy sky

my favourite thing...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week...yes I remembered my card for today so no excuses needed thank goodness....oh no aaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh those big huge hairy spiders are back...I walked into my bedroom last night to get my pj's on and there it was in all its massive leggy horror staring at me...not one of us moved, I was scared to stop looking at it in case it ran and I lost sight of it and it was frozen by the light...I managed to shout of Phil and his trusty kitchen roll of death and he walked in saying 'bloody hell, that's a big un', which didn't fill me with any faith that my mind might have been exaggerating...he got rid of it but I spent the rest of the evening thinking I had seen something moving out of the corner of my eye...I know its not even a teeny bit rational but omg they really are huge you know, I will try and get Phil to catch the next one and show you but even hes a bit wary of them...right now onto my card for today oh and an answer to a question for an article on the Sugar Nellie blog I have been asked...first my card how perfectly christmassy is this fabulous Penguin Party from Sugar Nellie...so so cute isn't it...I coloured this with my usual distress inks and teamed it up with a non Christmas paper pad...these papers and the sentiment tag are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Stationary Noted pad which is on sale at Bunny Zoe's Crafts atm too

I finished with some beautiful organza ribbon I bought locally and holly leaves and buttons...the little clip I found in an office supply shop...aren't they so so cute

now for an answer to a question what is my favourite piece of crafting equipment and why...my all time favourite is my teeny tiny curved Pergamano scissors, I love them and use them for everything, I don't have a die cutter so everything you see cut on my cards are cut using these...even the holly leaves I used on this card were cut out with them...I couldn't craft without them...I keep them razor sharp with a very fine emery board, this takes any gooey stuff off them from tape etc and makes sure they never snag even the finest of materials...I cut very quickly by keeping my cutting arm still and moving whatever I'm cutting it takes a little while to get used too but really works, you can practise this by propping your arm onto a chair arm so it wont move...have a go I bet you will be surprised how fast you can cut

the sketch I used for my card I made up as I went along but am entering it for the Sister Act Card Challenge, Crazy 4 Challenges challenge and the Sweet Stampin' challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today not for anything exciting though, just a few bills to pay...oh if we didn't have bills how much craft goodies could we buy...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope my advice is helpful, let me know if it is I would love to hear about it

Mina xxx

not just for Christmas.....

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a good week...yes your eyes don't deceive you its me with another card...three in a row is that a record lol...hands up all those people who reckon I got my craft room tidied...yep your right I didn't get started too many distractions and glittery bits and pieces oh and two new packs of buttons to be used...now who can resist buttons, not me...I did do a bit of research on the net though as I'm hoping to get my new printer tomorrow...so its a coffee and shopping day with my lovely Dad...I love going shopping with just me and my Dad, he just wanders and doesn't mind how long you take ooohhhing and arrrggghhhing over all those gorgeous gadgets...he just wanders off and drools over the huge tv's even though there's no way one would fit in his lounge...I would so love a 3d tv though wouldn't you especially now the technology makes them crisper and clearer...ooooohhhh a scary movie must be fantastic on a 3d tv although I don't like 3d movies at the cinema they are too large and fry my brain trying to keep up with all the action etc...my card for today is using Christmas papers and colours but it just goes to show you don't need to use them just for Christmas do you...how stunningly beautiful is this Sweet Pea Stamps digi, look at those eyes...she is from their Elaine Cox collection digis and is called Bess...she is one of the ones I lost in the last computer crash though so I wont be able to use her again boo hoo...I coloured her with distress inks as usual and the beautiful papers are from the Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage 6x6 paper pad I bought last year from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...lush papers aren't they...I finished with some Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy made into a bow (really easy because its wired) and a scattering of new buttons I bought at my local craft shop...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Totally Gorjuss Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...right I'm off for a shower and to get my face on for printer shopping...whatever your up to today have some fun and have another look at all those unused Christmas papers you have to see what else you can use them for
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - peeled paint

hair - pumice stone

lips and spots around image - barn door

flowers - peeled paint, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

a touch of red to ward off the gremlins...

Good morning everyone bbbbbrrrrrr what happened to the weather...its blowing a mini gale here and so much rain that's falling horizontal...autumn has certainly arrived with a vengeance...I woke on Sunday morning to ever rose on my striped rose bush gone...the wind had blown every petal off them, I was gutted...I don't so much mind autumn arriving but please leave my roses alone lol...hows the weather where you are?...did you all have a good weekend, our Sunday lunch was lush but the menu was changed a little as the cream I had bought for the cheesecake has gone off so I changed to a orange kinda thing, a made up one with cream substitute but everyone loved it anyway so it turned out ok...I had one of those days yesterday, you know the sort, everything you touch turns out wrong...our beautiful Daughter is of to Dublin on Wednesday for a business meeting and I booked her the train for her, went to print the receipt and nothing not a thing, my printer wont even switch on...I have changed the fuse but that's about as far my electrical skills go...looks like a new ones needed, I managed to send it to Phil to print at work though, then I went to my craft room and discovered the pile of images I had saved have faded in the light...ok now that's a conspiracy isn't it...a broken printer and no images to colour lol, now my camera is acting up and the photos are turning out rubbish...I'm scared to move today just in case something else breaks or goes wrong...luckily I had this beautiful stamp to use today...its from Bildmalarna and is called JustMe Nr.6...shes a real beauty isnt she...I coloured her with my distress inks as you can see my colouring mojo is still a bit shaky and the colouring isn't the best I have ever done...the lush paper pad I used is the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Stationary Noted and all the sentiments and flowers I cut from the same pad, I love the blue and red colour combo in it dont you, unusual but it works so well...I finished with a scattering of pearls...everything I used except the pearls are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering my card for the Ladybug Crafts Challenge, Stamping Sensations Challenge and the Sister Act Card Challenge too...I'm off to put my head under a blanket and wait for the next breakage lol...whatever your up to today have a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - faded jeans, fired brick, pumice stone

flowers - shabby shutters, fired brick, pumice stone 

oh no hes not yet is he...

Good morning everyone...did you all enjoy yesterday hope then...well we are off on our break and I'm sure the car was just as full as usual...including my Dad with his little goody bag Phil got for him with his bar of fruit and nut chocolate, pillow, blanket and his newspaper to keep him comfortable and busy while we are driving lol...I thought I would post this Christmas card today as the Sugar Nellie one was the first of many to come I'm sure...this stamp is a new High Hopes stamp called Motorin' By Santa...isn't it a cutie and if I have to start making Christmas cards this is a fab stamp to use don't you think...the sentiment is another high hopes stamp too called Coming to Town (sentiment)...I coloured Santa and his fab bike with distress inks and teamed him up with these gorgeous papers and sentiment tag from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Far & Away...although the papers aren't for Christmas I think they work really well for him don't you...I finished with a knotted red bow...everything except the ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm going to give myself a complete break until Saturday to see if I can give my mojo a rest and hopefully reboot it...so its out with the two precious men in my life and restaurants, museums and gardens galore and lots of inspiration I hope...whatever your doing this week I hope you have fantastic fun and I will draw my candy winner as soon as I get back...I will update you all and have a chat on Saturday

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit - pumice stone, barn door, fired brick

bike - iced spruce, barn door, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

Is it that time already...

Good morning everyone hows your week going...has anyone noticed its starting to get dark by 9pm already...oh no please someone tell me it isn't that time yet...surely our summer cant be drawing to a close already...that makes me so sad...we have decided to see if we can catch the end of the summer and take my lovely Dad away for a week to explore some more of this beautiful island we live on...so end of August we are heading to a real thatched cottage for a week...the rest will do Phil good too I think...now for a little bit of a rant about my Dads new wheelchair...we were going to get it at the local Disability shop but it was £199 there and I found the exact same model online at a well know Pharmacy website with free postage for would you believe £69.99 and I think that's enough to pay for a fold up one to sit in his boot in case he needs it don't you...now how on earth can there be that much mark up in Northern Ireland (I checked online and every disability shop here was near enough the £200 mark) and almost 70% cheaper on the mainland why are disabled people here being penalised, what if you don't use the internet or don't know anyone else who does your stuck paying that horrendous amount for the same model...shocking isn't it...ok rant over lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this super cute little sweetie...shes a CC Designs stamp called Drozy's Darlings White isn't she a real cutie...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed up with some papers from another new pad...these are from the stunning Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Stationary Noted...its so gorgeous...I finished with some flowers and a tag cut from the same pad and a bow made with Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide), I love this ribbon because its wired and its so easy to make a perfect fluffy bow every time and if it gets crushed it can be reshaped...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Crazy 4 Challenge's and Im also entering it for the Cutie Pie Challenge and the Allsorts Challenge too...I'm having a catch up with crafting day today there's loads I need to get done so wish me luck, I need it lol...whatever your up too have a brilliant day without any rants needed lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

dress - barn door, pumice stone, stormy sky

shading - pumice stone

An apple or two for the teacher...

Good morning everyone...are you having fun on our blog hop from Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams so far?...isn't it a brilliant theme...you should have arrived here from the fabulous
KALY'S
blog...if you haven't and want to join in the hop and get a chance to win one of two $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil, and why wouldn't you...just pop on over to the super talented JAK'S blog to start at the beginning

our theme this month is Fruit and I chose the stunning For Teacher Girl digi for my card, I love her dimples and she reminds me so much of my beautiful Daughter when she was at school...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these gorgeous lush papers from one of the new pads I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...these are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Far & Away...aren't they gorgeous...I added some buttons from the Big Red Button pack to the side of my card and because I didn't have any apple embellishments I made one from a button and a couple of leaves to finish

the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Card Mania Challenge and the Party Time Tuesday Challenge too...well I'm the last stop on the hop this month so I haven't a link for you to hop too but hope you haven't forgotten your comments along the way for a chance to win...I'm having a day off tomorrow as I'm going to be super busy but will speak to you all on Saturday...well its supermarket day today with my lovely Dad, oh joy of joys lol...the only thing that makes it bearable is my Dad and our 'put the world to rights' coffee...whatever your up to today I hope you get to spend some of with someone you love

Mina xxx
p.s. while your here you can join in my candy if you would like too...the link is at the top of my sidebar x

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

clothes - pumice stone, stormy sky, fired earth, stormy sky

boots - stormy sky, fired earth

basket - frayed burlap

apples - fired earth, pumice stone, peeled paint

bow - stormy sky

explore tomorrow...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fab weekend?...wow what a change in the weather, it was very chilly last night...in fact so much that the old bed socks reared their ugly head...I thought we had seen the last of those for at least another month lol, oh and an extra blanket went onto the bed too...before long the fire will have to be lit again and the daily choir of cleaning it out will have to be done...I'm sure some people manage to clean out fire grates without getting ash everywhere but it seemed to be a bit above my competency level...we had a nice weekend despite the chilly wet weather and poor Phil having to go into work on both Saturday and Sunday morning and the weekend finished off with a tea party yesterday evening for my beautiful Niece's birthday...she is such a little cutie and did a little girlie squealing dance when she opened her presents...especially for the handbag and make up our stunning Daughter bought her...it was also my Nephews birthday a few weeks ago so we celebrated that too...they are such lovely kids and my Sister should be very proud of them...one thing yesterday did show though was our deck needs cleaned and resurfaced as my poor little Niece slipped and came down with such a crash we thought she had broken her arm...I hate that sick queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when something like that happens don't you, but like the little trooper she is she bounced back and was running around again in a few minuets...it was a good day despite the fall though...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and this month was our fab Silvie's choice and she chose to do a Bingo card for us to follow...I chose Ribbons, flowers and buttons for mine and used this fantastic new stamp from the brand spanking new Magnolia Sea Breeze collection...this is the super cute Handy Tilda coloured with my distress inks and paper pieced with some of the lush Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Far & Away, one of the new ones I bought and wow do I love love love this pad you will be seeing a lot more of this one I'm sure...I added some cream satin ribbon from my stash and a bow made from Organza Ribbon - Ivory (25mm Wide) and finished with a few scattered buttons from the Camouflage - 25g and Big Red - 25g button bags and a couple of coffee coloured cabochons from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag...the sentiment tags are from the same paper pad and everything except the satin ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Delightful Challenges challenge and the Lovely Hanglar or Sweet Magnolia challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today so will be locked in my nice toasty warm craft room...whatever your up to today have a lovely warm one and watch out for slippy decking

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

buttons, handle and headband - barn door, pumice stone

shoes and shading - pumice stone

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

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

what more does a girl need...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...thank you all so so much for your kind get well wishes they mean so much to me and also prove I'm not just rambling on to myself on here lol...but seriously though thank you all...well I did get to the hairdressers and arrived 10 minuets early for my appointment to find the door locked....oh no had I got the time wrong or day wrong...well it has been known you know...but luckily I hadn't and they were just out for their lunch...my hair is great and it has given me a lift then almost on queue as I walked out of the hairdressers the clouds parted and yes...we finally had some sunshine...glorious and bright for at least five hours...lets just hope that wasn't our summer lol...well what more does a girl need, a new haircut, no temperature for 24 hours and sunshine, well her family coming for dinner and it all being prepared...result lol...some days just go well don't they, long may they last...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the adorable Princesses from the C.C. Designs Sweet November Princesses...isn't she gorgeous...I coloured her with my distress inks and teamed her up with more of the stunning Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories...I love the faded colours in this pad don't you, I paper pieced her dress skirt and sleeves with it and the sentiment tag is from the same pad too...I finished with a lush butterfly from the Prima Butterflies - Divine pack and a selection of buttons from my stash, the white one is from the Camouflage - 25g button pack...everything except two of the buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash challenge and I'm also entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge and Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge too...I'm going to do a bit of crafting this morning then we are of to the cinema this evening to see World War Z in 3d...I'm really looking forward to it, its ages since we were at the cinema...so stock up on the sweets then off we go...whatever your up to today I hope it a brilliant one with loads of sun and everything goes to plan...have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

crown, shoes and bodice - tattered rose, tumbled glass

shading - pumice stone

Return to Fairy Glen blog hop...

Good morning everyone are you all enjoying the hop?...aren't the new Return to Fairy Glen Fairies just gorgeous...bet you have a favourite or two or even three...I would hate to have to choose just one of these cuties...if you haven't been on the hop and want to start at the beginning there's a special price for this weekend only and a chance to win prizes too so just pop on over to our fabulous SUGAR NELLIE blog to start at the beginning...you should have arrived here from the super talented
 JUL'S

I got to use the stunning No Shell like Home for my card, I loved colouring this sweetie with my distress inks and kept her really soft and faded looking...the amazing papers, including the flowers and letters are from the Teresa Collins 6x6" Paper Pad - Summer Stories I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts last week, I think the colours suit this beauty don't you...all I added to finish was a beautiful silk ribbon bow and some pins...theres a very special price deal just for our launch weekend...all 6 stamps for £28 (individual stamps will be £5.95) but, that's only for launch weekend so don't miss out

and don't forget to leave your comments on everyones blog for a chance to win some goodies...I'm entering this for the In The Pink Challenge, Crafty Ribbons Challenge and the Creative Corner Challenge too...I'm the last stop on the hop, I hope you enjoyed it and had fun along the way... have some more fun shopping at Funky Kits and enjoy the rest of your weekend...oh and by the way just because I'm nosey I would love to know your favourites
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - anrique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar
hair - pumice stone
wings - tattered rose, pumice stone, spun sugar
dress - tattered rose, spun sugar, pumice stone
shoes - spun sugar
flowers - shabby shutters, pumice stone
snails - pumice stone
shading -  pumice stone

I so want these fabulous red glasses...

Good morning everyone are you having a lovely Easter week then, have you done anything exciting or are there some lucky one or two of you actually off to somewhere warm for the Easter break...if there is then tell us all so we can be green with envy...I would so love a week or two in the sun wouldn't you somewhere to warm my poor cold bones...well this is Phil's last day off work and hes back tomorrow, I will miss him but it will also be nice to get some me time if you know what I mean...well at least some me crafting time anyway lol...we were in town yesterday afternoon and stopped for lunch at a local coffee shop settled down with our paninis and coffee and on the next table were 5 twenty somethings...every single one of them was either on an iphone or tablet, fingers flipping like they were possessed hardly a word spoken between them...they finished and got up and I heard one girl say to the other...'I have really missed these coffees together haven't you' lol...seriously they could have just text, messaged or skyped (is there a plural of skype?) each other and saved on the coffee don't you think...whatever happened to the art of conversation...don't get me wrong I'm as addicted to technology as anyone else and post every day on here chatting away but given the choice of chatting to you all over coffee give me the coffee chat any day...right now onto my card for today...I so want these red glasses don't you...this cutie is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil, now who else could draw this sweetie...this is the gorgeous Fabulous coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some of my last papers from the Teresa Collins Design Now and Then paper pad I bought it ages ago from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so I don't think its in stock atm though, I finished with some more of the lush Bunny Zoe's wired gingham ribbon this one is the Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy one, I also added a few flowers cut from a page from the same pad as an embellishment...the lush sketch is from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Sweet Stampin Challenge too...Phil's cooking tonight so we are heading to the shops to buy supplies for it today, I haven't a clue what hes making but as he cooks brilliantly I'm looking forward to it...have a fabulous day everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap

boots - frayed burlap