christmas outfit sorted...

Good morning everyone...I need a little bit of advice, my Daughters cat isn't eating very well, she has hardly eaten half a bowl full of food since she arrived...any ideas how to tempt her...I have tried her favourite things like ham but she isn't having any of it...I reckon she is missing her owners even after all the fussing she is getting from us...should I be worried or will she eat when shes good and ready?...I didn't do any crafting at all yesterday, I had a little play of some things like cutting out stuff but didn't really get down to any card making etc...in fact I even cooked instead of crafting...I know shock horror eh, imagine cooking instead of crafting lol...I'm sure that urge will pass real soon though...right now onto my card for today...I love this fabulous little fella and he just goes to show you don't need to colour him black, let your imagination go wild or do what I did and colour some bits paper piece him a lush Christmas outfit...this is the fabulous new Edwin With Derby hat from the Little London collection ...hes great isn't he and look so dapper in his festive suit and hat...I coloured him with distress inks and the papers I used for the piecing and card are from the stunning new Echo Park - Reflections Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad...I cut some of the checked paper into holly leaves and used a sprinkling of red buttons (some from the Big Red - 25g bag) to finish...everything but a few of the buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge the Marvelous Magnolia Challenge and the Dream Valley Challenge too...I'm off out today I'm a little fed up babysitting (or should that be cat sitting) and need some fresh air I think, I'm sure the cat will be fine for a while without me fussing over her (although Phil is just as bad as me lol)...so I'm heading to Town with my lovely Dad for a little bit of retail therapy and get some things I have put off until I made a trip into town if you know what I mean...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and any advice about the cat would be greatly appreciated
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

shoes - black soot

cane - frayed burlap

shading on piecing - pumice stone

shading around image - pumice stone

at long last...

Good morning everyone and yes I finally made it...well the internet started working ok about 8ish last night but I think it wasn't a good idea posting at that time so you will have to wait a bit longer for the holiday photos...are you gutted?, yeah right lol...well my MRI scan was 100% worse than I thought it would be, considering I feel uncomfortable in a lift I should have maybe ticked the box on the safety form that said 'do you suffer from claustrophobia' but I don't really I just don't like closed spaces or is that the same thing do you think...I am shall we say a bit ample on the chest department and when I lie down its the part of me that is the highest so they were touching the top of the machine and as soon as I got inside my breathing went funny but with the help of some advice from the nurse I controlled it and managed the 30 minuets inside without screaming my head off, which could easily of happened, mind I was shaking like a leaf when I got out, I could hardly hold the water they gave me, that really isn't made for people of my proportions lol...I really wouldn't want to do that anymore than once in my life thank you very much...Phil's face when I walked out was priceless though lol, he took one look at me and said 'omg are you ok'...I'm fine though and its over so just have to wait for the results now...I will report back...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month was our lovely Tracy's choice and she chose Something Blue...I chose to use this stunning Whiff Of Joy Girls Rule (A480) stamp for my card..she has the most amazing hair and its a joy to colour...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and teamed her up with this stunning double sided Magnolia Blue Vintage Hydrangea 12" x 12" Paper...lush isn't it and perfect for the challenge...I added a fab bow made from some Organza Ribbon - White (25mm Wide) and some beautiful swirls from the Prima Say It In Crystals Mini Swirls - Divine set...everything I used today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin' Challenge and the Paper Creator's Challenge too...I'm going to have a relaxing crafting day today and catch up on our holiday washing I think, well I cant avoid it forever can I...whatever your up to today have fun and if you get a chance pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog and take a peek at the rest of our fab teams makes...oh and btw we will be starting a new Guest DT call on Wednesday so I hope you will all go for it...bye for now

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

top - milled lavendar, faded jeans

heans - pumice stone

hair plaits - faded jeans

do they work?

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have had a fantastic weekend...sorry I haven't been about for a few days but the dreaded not being well poked its ugly head up again...that together with a few very busy days and I barely had the energy to climb into bed at night let alone do any crafting, in fact my lovely Phil has been doing the cooking too (one of the perks of not being too well lol)...I don't know about you but I so love being cooked for and not having to think about what to cook...he made a gorgeous herb salmon, honey glazed carrots and parmesan crushed new potatoes followed by apple and cinnamon crumble and nothing ready prepared either all cooked from fresh...it was scrummy and although my appetite isn't the best atm I ate every single last morsel...the poor man had to pop into work yesterday morning and came back sporting quite a deep gash to his head...if Phil is going to injure anywhere it will be head...we were once travelling to Las Vegas and Phil stood up and whacked his head on the tv monitor...I have never seen flight attendants move so fast...I think they had visions of emergency landing but despite the blood dribbling down his head he just shrugged it off he has a skull like granite thank goodness...this time he had done the same thing but on a machine at work...ouch...hes ok though...right now onto my card for today...have you seen these new pencil drawing type images from Mo's Digital Pencil yet?...alert to all you people who love colouring these are amazing to colour and look so real don't they...this is just one of them, you can tell which ones they are as they are so much more detailed...I love love love them to bits...this is the beautiful Mara and I coloured her with my distress inks and used some beautiful bright papers from the Echo Park - Here & Now 6x6 Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...Im loving these bright colour combos that are about atm dont you...I added a lush green ribbon bow and because one of the challenges was sunflowers and I didn't have any thought I would use a punch and try to make some instead...it didn't quite work though did it lol...maybe a darker centre would have worked better...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge (that's the one the sunflowers were for) and I'm also entering it for the Totally Gorjuss Challenge and the Totally Papercrafts Challenge too...my Dad needs a new travel wheelchair so I'm off out with him today to see if we can hunt one down...whatever your up to today have a brilliant accident free one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit - spun sugar, pumice stone, tumbled glass scattered straw

dog - antique linen, frayed burlap, victorian velvet

bunny - pumice stone, victorian velvet

shading - pumice stone

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

I love red hair...

Good morning everyone are you enjoying sun or showers?...well I got my appointment with the surgeon but isn't it sods law that the first appointment I was given was 2nd July and I have just booked the hotel and Phil booked his time off for going away lol...I got a letter to ring for an appointment and the lovely receptionist and yes she really was nice, friendly and helpful said 2nd July...oops says I, cant do the 2nd we will be away then, ok she says 4th July...oops cant do that either...ok she says how about the 9th...brilliant we have a winner lol, they are like buses you wait ages for one then loads come along at once...so I'm seeing the surgeon on the 9th July, I'm going to talk to him to see if I have to have surgery or if there's something else that can be done instead, surgery is just very final isn't it and if there are any side effects from it are bad then I would rather try some other things first...but I will see what he has to say first before I decide...right now onto my card for today...how stunning is the hair on this fantastic Whiff Of Joy Girls Rule stamp...she is amazing to colour with my distress inks, I have a thing for red hair (Phil had hair this colour when we first met) so she had to have red hair especially with these beautiful papers from the Kaisercraft - Miss Empire 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, the tag under the bow is from the same pad too...I added a bow made from beautiful Organza Ribbon - Orange (25mm Wide) and finished with a lush rose from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Sage (10pcs) pack...everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Party Time Tuesdays Challenge and the Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge too...I'm heading out today, well that's the plan anyway...I would like a new skirt to go with a top Phil bought me a while back for our break away so wish me luck finding one...its always the same isn't it, when your looking for something in particular you can never find it...sods law strikes again lol...whatever your up to today I hope you manage to get out and about and have some fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - evergreen bough

hair - gathered twig, antique linen

outfit - antique linen, evergreen bough, wild honey

shading - pumice stone

you are loved...

Good morning everyone are you having a good week...hows the weather where you are...it was sunny here for a while yesterday and we headed to a garden centre (we seem to be addicted atm) bought a few things and then headed into town to take our Daughter two dozen white roses for her birthday...she was so surprised and super excited by them...it makes the effort worthwhile when someone loves a surprise like that doesn't it.....then back home where I fell asleep on the sofa for would you believe three hours...Phil had to wake me up for a phone call and then dinner...so still not that well but at least getting out and about and eating a little bit...I'm going to ring the Doctor for an appointment and wont hopefully have to wait a fortnight for one lol...its daft isn't it, having to make an appointment just in case your not well...Phil's back at work today so I wont hopefully be asleep all day and will manage dinner this evening, I don't like the idea of him coming home to me being in bed and him being alone...he did it for so long when he was working away it doesn't seem fair for him to have to do it now, but he understands and thank goodness his Mum made sure he could cook lol...I'm sorry I'm being such a pain in the bum lately...what a moaning Minnie I'm turning into lol...right now onto my card for today and you know the way Bildmalarna stamps make such cute little stamps well the girls have grown up a bit and this beauty is called Bildmalarna - JustMe Nr.7...I used my distress inks to colour her and teamed her up with these fabulous papers from the lush Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Paper Pad, the sentiment across the middle is cut from the same pad too, I finished with a gorgeous coloured bow made from Organza Ribbon - Lime (25mm Wide) and added a lime green rose from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Creative Stamp Friends Challenge and the Card Makin Mamas Challenge too...I really have to try and catch up with some DT work today so fingers crossed the sun doesn't shine and I get drawn into the garden instead lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

outfit, ribbon and boots - tumbled glass, victorian velvet, scattered straw

flowers - scattered straw, shabby shutters

shading pumice stone

always follow your heart...

Good morning everyone...well we had a mega trip to garden centres yesterday...three of them would you believe, we got 10 plants, a cordyline (which is a type of tall decorative red grass) and 36 bedding plants for pots and a hanging basket...the deck is going to be awash with colour...many many photos will follow when they all bloom...I cant wait...as to the Japanese Maple that wasn't so successful...the cheapest one I could find was £39.99 and tiny, I refuse to pay that much when all the plants together didn't cost that much...we did find a stunning Eucalyptus tree though, six foot tall and a fantastic olive green with red branches for a bargain £18 but we couldn't fit it in the car with the rest of the plants...well we could have but my Dad objected to being left at the garden centre even after we bought him coffee and promised we would come back for him on Saturday lol...we got loads planted up when we got home but ran out of pots so I guess we can pick up the tree when we head back to get more pots...aaaaaahhhhhhh I have a devious side to me lol... right now onto my card for today...this is the stunning Sugar Nellie Make A Wish from the digital Home Grown Collection at Funky Kits...isn't she beautiful, I don't think I did her justice and will have to give that dress some paper piecing in a few weeks I think, it will be fun will all those layers I think don't you? I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her wings and star on her wand, well I couldn't resist and you know the crafter's rule don't you...if there's wings there's glitter lol...I teamed her up with some of the amazing papers from the Kaisercraft - Elegance 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a sentiment and border from the same pad and a few punched glitter card stars...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge and the Brown Sugar Challenge too...I'm going to have some crafting time today, I'm determined to get ahead with things just in case the mojo demon sneaks back and steals it again...whatever your up to today I hope you manage some fun crafting time too...have a good one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

dress - scattered straw, antique linen

shoes, star and tips of wings - evergreen bough

shading - pumice stone

is it a bird...is it a plane...

Good morning everyone...no its the sun, yes we had sun yesterday I almost didn't recognise lol...big huge success for the dinner last night and because my lovely Dad is heading off on his travels for Birthday no 2 we even exchanged Easter eggs...I bought my Dad a Caramel egg as that's his favourite sweets...of course even though our Daughter and her other half are 28 and 32 they got chocolate Easter eggs too...oh and one for Phil too...in fact I'm the only one who didn't get one...now that doesn't seem right does it there's something amiss there lol...I had a little colouring play after I had finished preparing dinner yesterday and had one of those days...you know the sort...no matter what I coloured or how I coloured it, it just wasn't right...too bright, too faint and then some that were well, just rubbish...so I just coloured today's and didn't do anymore I think colouring days like that shouldn't be dwelt on and the paint brushes should be put aside for a better day when the hands and brush work in unison don't you...anyway onto the card I did manage to use...this fabulous stamp (which I didn't do justice too) is a stunning Leanne Ellis stamp from Sugar Nellie called Day Dreamer...I think I will have to have another play with this one...anyway I coloured her with distress inks and I don't know if it was the suns influence or wishing thinking for spring, I used these amazingly colourful papers from the Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts for my card...lush colour combo isn't it, I must use this again...I finished with a fab green ribbon and bow, a sparkly letter sentiment and a gorgeous Prima flower from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the House of Gilli Challenge and No Matter Which Challenges too...I'm in two minds today...either a cleaning day (the sun showed up the dust too much lol) or another try at colouring day...hhhhmmmmmm I wonder which I will pick...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines a little on you and you don't get that horrible cold white stuff on you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

outfit - stormy sky, scattered straw

flower - scattered straw, shabby shutters

birds - scattered straw, stormy sky, shabby shutters

window - shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

too much excitment before bed...

Good morning everyone hows the weather where you are...its still freezing cold here and we even had a few flakes of snow yesterday between it piddling down most of the time that is...oh please let the spring come soon I'm dying to be able to sit on the deck on my newly painted garden furniture, although I'm not quite sure about the colour, its a lovely shade of muted sage green but with the blue fence (a gift from the last people lol) it just doesn't look just right if you know what I mean...you know whats going to happen don't you...yep one of them is going to have to be painted isn't it...I thinking Phil is hoping its not the fence bless him lol....ooohhhh bit of excitement last night, I was sitting quite late watching the tv after Phil had gone to bed and heard a loud bang looked outside (cause I'm a bit nosey lol)  and there was a man hurrying down the street after parking his car about four doors up from our house...so I sat down again thinking nothing of it...ten minuets later I heard a really loud bang like a small explosion and looked outside again to see the car on fire and flames licking out of it...the panic that rises in your chest when something like that happens is terrible I had to stop myself running up to it to see if anyone was inside but I rang the police and fire brigade...the fire out the police didn't come near me despite me telling the 999 operator that I saw someone leaving the car...oh well I'm sure they will come to the house if they need to, it a very strange thing to happen on a quiet street like ours isn't it...there's nothing like something like that happening to make sure you don't get to sleep at all is there lol...right now onto my card for today its using another of the Bags of Fashion stamps release from Sugar Nellie, this is the fabulous Morgan, I cant choose which of these I like the best though...its a good thing I have them all isn't it lol...I coloured her with distress inks and used some lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Secret Admirer 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some buttons and two types of ribbon from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the No Matter Which Challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off for more tests at the Docs today...I think they are running a secret blood bank from there you know lol...whatever your up to today I hope your afternoon is nicer than mine and you dont need to go see the vampires too

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin -antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - frayed burlap

scarf - bundled sage, spiced marmalade

dress - bundled sage, antique linen

bag - spiced marmalade, bundled sage

boots - bundled sage

all you need is....

Good morning everyone, whats going on we had more wall to wall sunshine yesterday and our deck being the little suntrap that it is was actually warm enough to sit and enjoy it, even if it was only on the way back from the bin and for a few minuets but I still cant believe I was sitting out in the sunshine, what next flowers peeping their heads out too soon to be able to resist the snow that will probably arrive next week...don't do it flowers lol...our family dinner was fabulous last night we had Phil's homemade Ham & Egg pies, salad, garlic and shallot roasted potatoes and fresh blackberry's, blueberries and strawberry's with greek yogurt to finish and it was just as yummy as it sounds too...I love it when we all eat together it reminds me of when our Daughter lived at home even if it was many many moons ago...we enjoyed it so much we tried to get them to come for dinner tomorrow night but of course they weren't having any of it lol...right now onto my card for today and its an old favourite Sugar Nellie stamp I used...shes by Diane Duba and is called Believe...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and some lush papers from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Antique Aged Papers, I love this lush pack the papers are really like old aged paper...I finished with some large black letters, a cream bow and a splash of red to match her lips with the gorgeous Red Ruffle Rose, the papers and rose are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge and also entering this for the Crafting By Designs Challenge and the Dream Valley Challenge too...I'm not sure what I'm up to today but I live in hope of a bit more sitting in the sun...whatever your doing have a great one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose, spun sugar
all shading etc - antique linen, pumice stone
cats nose - black soot
eyes - tumbled glass

p.s. theres a new release from Sugar Nellie this weekend...so put the date in your diary...11am Saturday for our hop...they are fab so you wont want to miss it

nothing beats A&E at dinner time...

Good morning everyone, are you all well, theres loads of bugs going around so keep yourselves healthy...well we didn't have the best evening....Phil has been complaining of a painful hand for a few days but when he came in from work it was so painful and swollen I managed to persuade (I think bully is more like it though lol) him into going to A&E just to be on the safe side, he has something that is usually associated with parents...its kind of a repetitive injury they usually get from picking children up, he isn't picking me up honestly lol....good news is it will fine bad news it will probably be there always...just Ibuprofen for the pain is all...phew I had visions of him in plaster or needed his tendon operated on or something more horrific...Phil is never ever ill or has anything wrong with him, so much so that I kinda panic when there is something wrong with him...goodness knows how I would be if something serious happened, I couldn't bear even thinking about it...its strange how we think of the people we love always being there and never changing...scary too...right now my card for today which is using another of the stunningly beautiful Vintage Adorable's from Sugar Nellie...this is the gorgeous Alicia...I love colouring these cuties...I used my usual distress inks and one of the new papers I bought on a quick trip to buy card at my local craft shop (oops couldn't resist just a few pretty papers)...this one is from Fancy Pants Designs Time Spring collection and is called Sugar & Cream...gorgeous isn't it...I finished my card with a couple of pieces of pink gingham ribbon behind a Prima flower and a couple of coloured buttons...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Catz challenge and Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm off out today and might even do a bit of shopping would you believe I still haven't spent my gift cards from Christmas yet...so a trip to Next might be on the cards too...big question is the Woman's clothes or Home dept...oooohhhhh decisions decisions lol...whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antqiue linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antque linen

eyes - mix of shabby shutters & peeled paint

top - antique linen, tumbled glass, shabby shutters, frayed burlap

scattered straw, barn door,

flowers and pearls - spun sugar, tumbled glass

barn door, spun sugar, scattered straw

have you made your list?...

Good morning everyone well here it is, the last day of the year...have you made any resolutions, I don't make any anymore because I never keep them or give up within a few weeks...no willpower lol...oh btw a few people have asked me about my smoking, well touch wood I'm still keeping it up, I must admit its a struggle and has been especially over the holidays and there was a couple of times when I was shopping I would have literally mugged someone for one...but I didn't...well not yet anyway lol...we did manage to go out yesterday not very far but at least a catch up coffee with my lovely Dad and a few giggles, its lovely catching up like this isn't it...we also met a few friends while we were out and about and there hugs and kisses and best wishes for the New Year of course....oooohhhhh I do kinda have a resolution, well its sort of a thing I will try to do I think, I have loads and loads of stamps that I have only used once (I know that's terrible isn't it) and I'm going to sort them out, keep and reuse some of my very favourite ones and the other I will put into bags and give away on monthly candies...so I'm going to share the love on 2013 so make sure you watch out for the A touch of rubber bags...right now onto my card for today, my last one of this year, how strange does that sound lol...how stunning is this Lil ballerina, you just know by looking at her shes by Mo's Digital Pencil don't you...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush papers from the Kaisercraft - Sweet Nothings 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...they match so well don't they...I finished with a lush rich green satin ribbon bow and a rose from my stash...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Card Crafter's Circle challenge too...it will be a quiet night in for us two, a drink together at midnight at the most we never really celebrate New Year but do all get together New Years Day for dinner...one of those perfect family get together's we love...whatever your up to tonight I hope you have fun and remember not too much falling down water lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet, pumice stone, peeled paint

hair ornaments - victorian velvet, peeled paint

see the world through rose tinted spectacles...*UPDATED PHOTOS*

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...apologies for the photo for today's card, there's certain times of the day when the sun shines directly into my craft room and if I take photos at that time the pink from the wall (yes I still haven't decorated) reflects onto the photos its like looking at the world through rose coloured spectacles...I didn't notice until last night when I got my image ready for posting that it had this pink tinge to it (although the paper is lilac so that doesn't help either), I will take some more today when the light is better...I had a little mooch in the town after my hair cut yesterday, I still haven't got anything to wear for Phil's Christmas works party yet and am getting a little desperate...I was chatting to a shop assistant in town yesterday and she asked me if I have a LBD (little black dress) I should glitz up a bit with accessories...so when I got home I looked in my wardrobe, would you believe I found 3 lol...and even more shocking is two still had the labels on...how bad is that...so maybe some glitzy jewellery and I will be sorted, well that's the plan anyway...right now onto my pink tinged card for today...this amazingly beautiful image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil...stunning isn't it...its called With The Baby and I coloured it with distress inks...the equally stunning paper is from the Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams 2011 collection and is called Vintage Holly, I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts last year...I added a bit of very pale lilac glitterboard to the design too just to add a bit more glitz and finished with a stunning sheer organza ribbon bow and a punched glitterboard snowflake...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the No Matter which challenge and The Ribbon Girl challenge too...I'm having a day in today and catching up with some DT work and hopefully retaking this photo...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and whatever your doing I hope you have a day seeing through rose coloured specs lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfits - milled lavender, pumice stone, seedless preserves

Peace & Quiet....

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...well I hope...well I finally got a day of peace and quiet and I even got some tree ornaments made...I was quite chuffed with them and when Phil came in from work if I'm in my craftroom he brings us up tea and choccy biscuits and sits on my sofa chatting while I finish off what I'm doing...so he came up with the supplies and I proudly showed him what I had made...well to say he wasn't that impressed is putting it mildly lol...nice he says but we just need about 50 more I hope you realise...groan I think I will pay a visit to the shops tomorrow and buy some lol...I will take a photo of them mind they were just practise ones so be kind when you see them...there was no more annoying callers at the door today at least but I did get an Ikea catalogue in the post which distracted me a bit...well a lot actually...I seriously think I could do a whole house from Ikea, in fact this one is getting that way very quickly...I'm in need of a visit I think, well I do have to get some gift vouchers for my married Nieces Christmas gifts so that's a good excuse isn't it, well its my excuse and I'm sticking to it lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this amazing image from Crafts and Me...its by Hannah Lynn and is called Wynndy...I coloured her with distress inks and instead of glittering her tail and flowers I found a clear glitter Sakura pen the other day while rummaging so used that instead but I don't think it shows us glittery enough on photos so will stick to my glitter glue, what do you think?...I matched her up with these stunningly beautiful papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Romance Novel I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...gorgeous isn't it...the sentiment is cut from another sheet from the same pad and I finished with a gorgeous glittery ribbon bow and a couple of pearl headed pins...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and Im also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...Im going to get some war paint on and head out for Christmas gift shopping today...my lovely Dad isn't back from Belfast yet but sometime a mooch by yourself is called for isn't it...I might even treat myself to some lunch you never know lol...whatever your up today whatever it is I hope you have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

pal leaves & eyes - Marvy green pen

flowers - victorian velvet, peeled paint

dress - antique linen, victorian velvet, peeled paint

sky - stormy sky

it wont be a stroppy Christmas...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy this fine morning...I'm feeling loads and loads better thank goodness, it must have been all that imaginary chicken soup lol...I didn't get out yesterday at all, my Dad refused to have me go with him to the hospital and said 'dont be daft girl, I'm going to a COPD clinic I'm not taking you with a cold to infect everyone', well that's me told isn't it...but he went for his tests himself and did as I told him (for a change lol), he told everyone he was hard of hearing and they all spoke up for him...brilliant news too, his COPD is stable the medication is working fine and it hasn't got any worse...phew what a relief because he had a chest infection not long ago and I know he was very scared that it had affected his COPD...I love love love my Dad to bits, he is so precious to us all but especially to me, when my Mum passed away about 10 years ago he told me he thought his life was over and it broke my heart to see him like that...it took a lot of love and affection and showing him how much he counted to get him back to enjoying himself and living again, then he was told he had COPD and it took me a long time to convince him that with care and the right medication it wasn't the death sentence he thought it was...we have got very close over the last ten years and I cherish every moment I have with him...life is so short isn't it and we should always tell those we care about how much we care don't you think...I think I'm feeling it more lately because we found out a friends Mum had died on Sunday night, she had been very ill and slipping in and out of a coma but no matter what the circumstance the loss of a parent is so devastating don't you think and my heart goes out to him...Phil went to see him last night and he is coping but I don't think its hit him yet, heaven help him when it does, I remember the feeling well...ok now enough waffling onto my card for today...I'm hoping Christmas isn't going to be as bad as Stroppy Beth from Saturated Canary thinks lol...shes fab isn't she and has that teenage pout we all know and love lol...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced part of her outfit...I seem to be very into cutting out atm don't I, the lush pad papers are from the Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Joyeux Noel pad, perfectly Christmassy aren't they with a real nostalgic feel to them...I finished with a bow from my stash and three Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag embellishments...I love these little cuties don't you...the roses and papers I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Anything Goes challenge and Papertake Weekly challenge too...I AM going out today no ifs ands or buts...I need some fresh air now I'm feeling a bit better so a trip to the shops and coffee I think is definitely needed...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and tell someone you care about how much you care, you never know do you.

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

eyes - peeled paint

white shaded with pumice stone

bow and striped - barn door

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

hop hop hopping along...

Good morning everyone are you all having a great week...it has turned very cold here and I have my fluffy socks out of storage...oh no that means winter has arrived...its time for our monthly blog hop at Mo's Dreamteam and if you have popped over from the fabulous DEBBIE'S blog then your on the right road...if you haven't and want the chance to win one of two $5 credits for Mo's Digital Pencil, then pop on over to the start of the hop to the talented GRETHA who chose our theme this month of adding an animal to a Christmas card which is an easy theme using a Mo's Digital Pencil image

theres loads of images with animals for Christmas cards so I was kinda spoilt for choice...so I used one of my all time favourite animal images from Mo...this is the fantastic Bismarck, look at that face isn't he amazing...I coloured him really softly with distress inks and paper pieced that huge bow on his bone...I teamed him up with these lush papers from the Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Believe I'm totally loving this gorgeous pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the colour combo's are fantastic and so perfectly Christmas...I finished with a big red satin bow...the sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Sentiments challenge and Bearly-Mine Challenge too...ok now your next stop on our hop is the fabulous

POPS

who I'm sure will have something beautiful to show you...don't forget your comments for a chance to win and enjoy your day

Mina xxx

p.s. I haven't forgotten about the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog hop candy draw I will be back a little later to announce our winner

distress ink colours used

Bismarck - pumice stone

scarf and hat - barn door, peeled paint

shading on bow - pumice stone

bone - antique linen

oops...

Good morning everyone oops guess who forgot to post a time and date so this would post...I got up this morning late and knew I needed a lie in so did this post last night and then forgot to do the time and date...duh lol...a little hint for you today when you don't want an opinion don't ask...I did a french manicure last night and showed Phil and our Daughter...Phil says 'too light with your tan look almost luminious' Daughter 'your nails are too long they need cut'... that will teach me to ask...my reply? well I cant print it too many swear words lol...I'm not going out today, I'm not doing anything but relax and take some time out, I think my mojo has been lost a bit because I have been running around so much I met myself in the hall yesterday lol...so a relaxing chilling day doing nothing at all is called for I think, I will probably regret wasting the time though I bet lol...right now onto my card for today...I love this Mo's Digital Pencil ballerina don't you...look at that adorable face, Mo's images always make me want to kiss little pink cheeks lol...this is the gorgeous Fifi coloured with distress inks and the stunning papers are from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Tea-Thyme pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, now who knew black could look so stunning...I finished with a mix of flowers and a ceramic sentiment...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop Challenge...I was going to rush around and do my cards for the weekend while I'm away but with the lack of mojo (and time lol) I think I might take the weekend off, what do you all think should I take Saturday and Sunday off to concentrate on the wedding do you think? dont get me wrong I mean by lack of mojo that the ideas arent coming and Im struggling to make cards, Im still loving colouring and playing just no idea mojo is all...whatever your up to today watch you don't meet yourself if your very busy lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - black soot

tutu - pumice stone, spun sugar, victorian velvet

shoes and head clips - shabby shutters

someone slap me...

Good morning one and all, how are you all...you gave a real belly laugh last night reading all your stories of your mishaps too and it made me feel I'm not the only one who goes out in odd earrings lol...loved Coops story about the shoes...I had a friend who went out in two different shoes but one was flat and one had a heel and she didn't notice until she got out of her car lol...thank goodness I haven't quite reached that stage so far...I was all set for a crafting day then like a bolt of lightening remembered I still had the menus for my Nieces wedding to do...would you believe it took me 6 hours to print all the components and I still have to put them all together all 100 of them, that menu is imprinted on my mind now, if you see me agree to do something like this again one of you please slap me lol...then I remembered I hadn't done my challenge card for Crafts and Me...so many apologies for the shockingly bad colouring, you can really tell I did it in a hurry...so slapped hands for me and I will stand in the corner until I start to remember things...I may be some time lol...anyway onto my rushed card for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge, our theme this time is to use a sentiment on your card and I used this beautiful Crafts and Me Sara Burrier image called Morning Glories but I enlarged her and cut of the bottom of the flowers...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used a scrap of a Basicgrey paper I found while moving, I love the faded greens and yellows of it don't you but I don't know which collection its from...I finished with some lush gold knotted ribbon, a couple of pins, a scattering of pearls and a stamped sentiment...the lush sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the City Crafter challenge and A&T Emerald Faeries challenge too...I'm off out with my Dad today as I need more ink for my printer and am still looking for shoes for the wedding (dont worry I will buy my Dad a coffee while I shop for them I wont make him go around with me)...this outfit is never ending, is it just me or is everyone like this for a wedding outfit....its so hard to decided...whatever your up to today have a great one and if anyone mentions weddings to you give them a slap from me lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit and wings - crushed olive, antique linen, scattered straw

flowers - scattered straw, crushed olive, shabby shitters

flute - antique linen