its BLOG HOP time...

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a great week?...I hope so...its blog hop day for Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteam, you should have arrived here from the super talented Kaly but if you didn't then just pop on over to our host for this month, the fabulous Danielle to start at the beginning...you don't want to miss the chance to win one of our $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil just for commenting do you...Danielle chose the theme of Distressing for this months hop

I always struggle with distressing as my cards never look distressed enough to me but I had a go anyway...I chose the stunning Lil Ballerina for my card...I thing this image is so cute and sweet don't you and she could be used for lots of occasions for any sweet little girl...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and glittered her tutu and slippers...the stunning colours I used are from the Graphic45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection 8x8 paper pad...this pad has the lushest colours and patterns in it and loads of bits to cut out...I cut out the butterfly and banner out of it and finished with some stunning royal blue wired ribbon, a few (well a lot actually lol) punched butterflies, a couple of gems and a Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ornate Plates embellishment...the next stop along your hopping way is the wonderful

JAK

who will have something amazing to show you as always...the lush sketch I used is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Just Inspirational Challenge and Artistic Inspirations Challenge too...enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments for a chance to win...have a brilliant day whatever your up to today

Mina xxx
p.s. I have MEGA CANDY on offer atm just click on the link in my sidebar to join in

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit - pumice stone, tattered rose, peeled paint, evergreen bough, timbled glass

shading - pumice stone

bright and cute to the extreme...

Good morning everyone are you all well?...well I have a new printer sorted, I booked it online to collect  in store but I think the store sorta missed the idea of click and collect, I went in armed with my reservation number and debit card to be met by a young man who looked like he had had a very heavy night before...I gave him my number which he didn't even look at then he asked what have you ordered, a Printer I said, what make, I told him...what model I told him that...do I want to pay cash...yes I said...then realised hang on isn't this called shopping when he went to the shelf to collect it...what was the point in my reserving it when I could have went in picked it up from the shelf and took it to the checkout lol...maybe he was just having an off day as the irony of the situation was totally lost on him bless him lol...anyway I still haven't tried it yet but fingers crossed I will get some time this afternoon and report back...oh and I got a bargain at Sainsburys too...they have a 25% sale on their clothes so I was having a little rummage when I found a pair of black linen trousers I like...no label or price tag and not another pair in sight...so I went to the customer services so managed to find a index number on the care label and punched it in...oh they are on sale she said...£6 would you believe and she then gave me the 25% off for the offer too...so I got a lush pair of linen trousers for the princely sum of £4.50...oooohhhhhh I love a bargain don't you...right now onto my card for today...all together now...aaaaaaaawwwwww how cute is this little bear, look at that adorable little face...its a Crafter's Companion stamp called Crafter's Companion Party Paws - Bamboo's Favourites...I used my usual distress inks for colouring and thought I would go bright and pretty for the papers so used these lush papers from the Echo Park - Here & Now 6x6 Paper Pad for it...I also used a knot made with Organza Ribbon - Lime (25mm Wide) a Prima Flowers Primmers - White Cotton flower and a couple of buttons from the Ice Storm - 25g button pack...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...its supermarket day with my Dad today and you all know what that means too don't you...yep 'put the world to rights coffee...quick question does anyone else find planning meals a real pain in the butt...I hate it, if someone would just sort out the ingredients and menu I would gladly do the cooking...its the organising I don't like...have a brilliant day and I hope your menu for this evening is already planned lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

bear - pumice stone, fraed burlap, antique linen, spun sugar

basket - frayed burlap

flowers - scattered straw, barn door, peeled paint, shabby shutters

shading - pumice stone

Mo's Dreamteam monthly blog hop...

Good morning everyone and welcome to this months Mo's Dreamteam monthly blog hop...I'm the first stop this month as it was my choice of theme and I chose Paper Piecing...I love love love paper piecing all that cutting out is so soothing...I have been known to sit in my big craft room chair and nod off I get so relaxed cutting out lol...I chose to use the stunningly beautiful Alisa with Roses for my card, I coloured her with distress inks and had fun cutting out some scraps from my old My Minds Eye - Honey Cake 6x6 paper pad I bought ages and ages ago for her dress, trim and belt

I only had a couple of sheets of paper left in it and thought the colours suited Alisa so much...I finished with a huge chocolate satin bow and a metal friend sentiment, I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Artistic Inspiration challenge, Clear it out Challenge (my old paper pad) and the Creative Card Crew Challenge too...your next stop on the hop is the fabulous

POP'S

who is sure to have something stunning to show you...have fun on the hop and don't forget your comments for a chance to win one of the two $5 store credits for Mo's Digital Pencil...
you don't want to miss the chance to do some shopping at Mo's do you

have a fabulous day and enjoy the hop...its supermarket day for me today, yuck I hate it don't you...its not the shopping its the thinking up of all the meals...whatever your up too today I hope its fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - tumbled glass

hair - frayed burlap

roses - fired brick, peeled paint

basket - frayed burlap

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

bear hugs and a giggle...

Good morning everyone thank you all loads and massive hugs for all our anniversary wishes, your such a lovely load of crafters...I think its brilliant how nice crafters are don't you, they always want to wish you well and join in good causes and they love to see people get on or win challenges etc...I think its all that colouring in it chills us out and makes us better human beings lol...we had a lovely day yesterday did a bit of shopping (still no present for each other yet but it somehow doesn't seem important if you know what I mean) then we took a drive along the north coast, stunningly beautiful but it was blowing a bloody gale so we didn't venture out of the car...then out to lunch...home for a little relax and a chinese last night...a wonderful chilling out day...when Phil worked away we never seemed to get the chance to spend important days like anniversary's and birthdays together so we aren't bothered about what we do or even gifts this time we are just enjoying spending it together...oooohhhh I know I'm getting soppy so will get on with my card for today I think before the soppyness get sickly lol...I used a beautiful Hannah Lynn digi from Crafts & Me called Natsumi...don't you just love that cute little panda...like all Hannah Lynn images shes a dream to colour and I used my usual distress inks for her...the lush papers are from the Teresa Collins Design Now & Then paper pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm as I bought this ages ago...I finished with a white Prima flower, a white satin bow, a pretty strip of lace and a Giggle sentiment from my stash...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and The Crazy Challenge...we are heading out today and might go a bit further afield or even go visiting...whatever your up to today have a fantastic Easter Friday
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - pumice stone

eyes - peeled paint

outfit, wings and flower - shabby shutters, victorian velvet

leaves - crushed olive, shabby shutters

bear - punice stone, black soot

shading - pumice stone

its here at last...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a good week despite the snow and bad weather...isn't March supposed to be the start of spring...well I guess that slipped by a week past Sunday lol...well its here at long last, my lovely Dads 80th Birthday, I wont show you his card today as I think he should see it first don't you...he and my Sister came back last evening and they had a fantastic time at the hotel, he said he felt like a king even if he was shattered, he nodded off in front of my fire bless him lol...I just hope he likes our presents as much (ssssshhhhhhh saying nothing yet just in case of prying eyes lol)...I cant wait to see him today for his massive birthday hug though and then out for coffee before I tell him about his first present...right now onto my card for today which is using another of the new Bags of Fashion stamps from Sugar Nellie...this one is the beautiful Chelsea coloured with distress inks and teamed up with some lush papers from the My Mind's Eye-Oliver 6x6 paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a stunning organza ribbon bow and a few flowers I bought ages ago from a craft sale at The Works...I love this fab Charisma Cardz challenge sketch don't you?...I love to mix shapes like this and think I have an OCD thingy for symmetry lol...I'm also entering this for the Artistic Inspirations Challenge and the Addicted To Stamps Challenge too...I'm off to ring my Dad to make arrangements for today...isn't it strange how much Mum's love other people's birthday's except their own lol...whatever your up to today I hope you have a brilliant one with a little added sunshine

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eyes - stormy sky

hair - pumice stone

jacket - scattered straw, stormy sky

skirt - pumice stone, stormy sky, scattered straw

boots - pumice stone

bag - antique linen, stormy sky

Magical...

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

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

dress - pumice stone, milled lavender, spun sugar

glitter glue for feathers and lower part of dress

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

they dont have to be red...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...poor Phil has the sniffles bless him, of course hes blaming me even though mine was the weekend before last just how long does he think I was contagious, it sounds more like an allergy to me than a cold, it could have had something to do with the super spicy salsa he had with his dinner last night you know lol...my Dad enjoyed his dinner and the bit of banter that went with it of course and I think he was a lot happier when he left...we had a little jaunt out as well and did a little shopping and some put the world to rights coffee yesterday afternoon...I think he may have figured out how to get world peace in the space of drinking one cup lol...hes off to my Sister's in Belfast at the weekend which will do him a lot of good and get him away from home for a few days...I hope he comes back refreshed and after spending a couple of days with his youngest grand kids he should have a huge smile on his face...fingers crossed...btw did you check out the winners of my candy I posted last night...I hate drawing winners you know not that I don't like people to win I just hate the thought that others don't, I was the same as a child I couldn't have one teddy or doll in bed I had to have them all because I couldn't bear them being left out, my Mum would come in the night and clear some of them away in case there wasn't room for me lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge...this time is our lovely Mona's choice and she chose Nontraditional Christmas Colours...now you couldn't get any less traditional than the mix I chose could you, I chose to use this stunning Sara Burrier image from Crafts and Me for my card...she is called Lady Of Amethyst isn't she just beautiful...I coloured her very softly (maybe a little too softly) with distress inks and the amazingly coloured paper is a scrap by Rayher's Classic Collection and is called Multi Stripes...I recycled a flower into some holly leaves and used loads of coloured pearls for the berries (see they don't have to be red do they)...the fab sketch is from Sketch N Stash challenge (my stash was the long forgotten half sheet of paper), I'm also entering it for the Artistic Inspirations challenge and the Crafty Sentiments challenge too...I'm gonna have a chilling day today I think with maybe a bit of cooking and crafting thrown in, I'm gonna make seafood pasta one of Phil's favourites, that should make him forget his sniffles I hope...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and don't forget to check out the winners post below just in case
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

dress - stormy sky

cuffs and headress - victorian velvet, scattered straw, seedles preserve

wings - stormy sky - seedles preserve

trim on dress and bells - seedless preserve