I can do bright...

Good morning everyone did you all have a brilliant start to your week, I hope so...mine was very quiet getting stuff that needed washed together for our break and making some cards for this week and for while I'm away...we had a brilliant day on Sunday, I love family Sundays...everyone eating and joking and chatting to their hearts content, its one of the things that make life worthwhile don't you think...whenever we have a day like that I always feel a little pang in my heart that my Mum isnt there as she loved them too and a thought for those who are alone in life...my heart goes out to people without family for whatever reason, there should be some sort of scheme where you can foster someone for a family day so they know that someone cares about what happens to them don't you think...maybe we should start a 'Foster a family member' scheme...ok who's up for that then lol...I got a lovely phone call from the woman who owns the cottage we are renting for next week, just thanking me for booking it and hoping we had a fantastic time and bits and pieces of information for while we are away...that was nice of her wasn't it, she had one of those wonderful singing Irish accents too if you know what I mean...I'm looking forward to it a bit more today too by the end of the week I will be chomping at the bit lol...right now onto my card for today which is using a fabulous Sugar Nellie stamp from the Bags of Fashion range...this is the gorgeous Mia but I'm afraid she was so popular you can only get her from the set of four stamps now...your eyes aren't deceiving you yes she is very bright and I used my usual distress inks for her...the gorgeous bright papers I teamed her up with are from the Echo Park - All about a Boy 6x6 Paper Pad...I guess its not just for boys then as it works brilliantly for Mia don't you think...I finished with a sentiment cut from the same pad, a lush bow made from Organza Ribbon - Orange (25mm Wide) and a button from my stash...the ribbon and paper pad are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge and I'm also entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge and the 'ABC' Challenge too...Im doing the ironing for going away and some more card making today...I hope whatever your up to today you will get to have some fun

Mina xxx

p.s. scroll down below for some brand new Sugar Nellie's coming and don't forget you still have until Saturday to join in with my candy...the link is on the top of my sidebar

there is a brand new release from Sugar Nellie on Saturday and of course it starts of with a blog hop with some prizes...so mark it down in your diary...your gonna love them xxx

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

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

Life is a bowl full of cherries...

Good morning everyone do you feel in need of a weather forecast lol...yep still grey, windy, dull and tiddling down here so nothing changed here...but at least my card for today has a touch of summer about it...oh by the way thanks for all your replies about the dog in the boot incident...I have searched everywhere but can find nothing that say its illegal...shocking isn't it...it should be against the law I think, its seems a really shocking and cruel way to transport a puppy...I have watching the Chelsea flower show over the last few days and now have a massive and I mean huge list of plants I would love for the garden...now all I need is a nice friendly millionaire to come shopping with me...it would cost a small fortune for the pots to put them in never mind the plants...oh and the drooly garden furniture I have been looking at too...oh well a girl can dream cant she...I saw a chair in Next called an Apple pod and thought wow that would look amazing then I saw the price tag £1099...its here if you want to have a look and drool over it to...right enough of talking about things out of reach and onto my summery card for today...this is the gorgeous Kenny K's Troublemaker stamp from Whimsy Stamps...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these gorgeously coloured and fresh papers from the Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad...I love this lush pad don't you...the tag sentiment is from the same pad too, I added some of the fab Section Smash Tape to the edges of the middle panel and finished with a yellow velvet knot and a few Christmas berries for cherries...see berries aren't just for Christmas lol everything except the ribbon and berries are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Charisma Cardz Challenge and The Cutie Pie Challenge too...I'm making dinner for the family tonight for a get together for our beautiful Daughters birthday on Monday before my lovely Dad is of on his travels again tomorrow...hes off for a visit with my Sister in Belfast for a few days...the change will do him good I think he gets a bit stir crazy when he hasn't been away for a while...whatever your up to today I hope its a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

eyes - tumbled glass

lips - victorian velvet

hair - pumice stone

outfit - tumbled glass, spun sugar, scattered straw

ice cream - antique linen, spun sugar, shabby shutters

shoes - spun sugar, pumice stone

shading - pumice stone

hop, hop, hop...

Good morning everyone we had another day of stunning sunshine yesterday, we will be getting used to it at this rate lol...welcome to our Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteams monthly blog hop...you should have arrived here from our fabulous Debbie's blog but if you didn't and want to join in the hop for the chance to win a prize of a £5 credit for Mo's Digital Pencil then hop on over to our host for this month, the fabulous

Debby 

to start at the beginning

as you probably know by now our theme for this month is Babies, now who can resist a baby image, especially this cutie Cookie Dough S image from Mo's Digital Pencil...look at that adorable face. I coloured my cutie with my usual distress inks and used a beautiful pastel coloured paper from Fancy Pants Designs Time Spring collection called Ruffles...pretty isn't it and I love the soft colours...I finished with some wooden letters I bought ages ago from The Works, a few scattered buttons and some white seam binding...the lush sketch is from the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering this for the Cutie Pie Challenge and House of Gilli Challenge too...your next stop on our hop is the super talented

 POP'S

 don't forget all your comments along the way for a chance to win...I hope your enjoy our hop and whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - tumbled glass

dough - antique linen

spoon - victorian velvet

bowl - mix of tumbled glass, stormy sky, pumice stone

who says it has to be red and white...

Good morning everyone bbbbbrrrrrrrrr its bleeding cold here...in the last 24 hours we have had rain, hail, snow, sleet, its blowing a gale and we have even had sunshine (well if you can count about 35 minuets of it lol)...there a saying here that we can have all four season in one day well it as certainly proved right yesterday...I was going to head out yesterday afternoon but wasn't sure what to wear or if I needed an umbrella or snow shoes lol....I was making this card for today and got to wondering who decided on the colours we should have for different occasions...like green & red for Christmas or red and white for Valentines, did someone actually sit down and decide...can you imagine a room full of elves, fairies and Santa saying ok who votes for red & green then...or a room full of cupids and cherubs deciding they didn't like the idea of orange and green for Valentines...brilliant thought isn't it...I think it just turned out that way don't you think...well I have gone against the grain today and made a Valentines card in Yellow and Blue and the reason?, well today's card is for our new challenge at Crafts & Me Challenge and the theme today is to choose or favourite colour combo, mine is Yellow & Blue atm but it changes all the time and I think mine has a lot to do with the new papers I have bought at the time...well it may be against the norm but I think this yellow and blue theme is ok for Valentines what about you?...the stunning digi from Crafts & Me I chose to use is by Hannah Lynn and is called Mimi, stunning isn't she...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and the papers I used are from the My Mind's Eye - Oliver 6x6 Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a bow and a charm from my stash and a few punched hearts from the same pad...the fab sketch is from the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge and I'm also entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge and the Created With Love Challenge too...well I have one or two choices today but I feel hibernating until spring seems the best option atm, whatever your up to I hope your warm and cosy

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - stormy sky, tumbled glass

lips - victorian velvet

heart - scattered straw

ourfit and fan - tumbled glass, stormy sky, scattered straw

even witches can be cute...and some new release news....

Good morning everyone...bbbbbrrrrrrrr it was cold here last night, a real crisp clear chilly night and felt like Christmas...we went to the DIY store for the draught excluder and they had all the gorgeous Christmas decorations displayed along with a little garden shed made into a grotto full of soft toys and fairy lights, it was so pretty and festive, even my Dad stopped grumbling about 'Christmas decorations already' and said a little aaaaahhhhhhhh...we went outside and were chatting and I heard a 'oh I hear a fellow Geordie accent'...it was a woman who has just moved to Northern Ireland from London...now there's something you have to know about Geordies they will chat with anyone, any excuse for a good natter lol...so we chatted for ages and I told her some things about the area and where things were but as I was leaving I meant to give her my phone number in case she needed a bit of support as it can be kinda lonely moving to a new area cant it...so I'm hoping I bump into her again so I can at least invite her for a coffee...you never know she might even be a fellow crafter lol....right now onto my card for today...now who knew that even witches could look this cute...this is the gorgeous Bewitched from Sassy Studio Designs...shes fabulous isn't she and reminds me of the old fashioned movie witches like in the series Bewitched, I couldn't find her on the Sassy site so I have just linked to their shop instead ...I coloured her with distress inks and used some fantastic Halloween papers from the Fancy Pants Oct 31 paper pad...I paper pieced her dress and hat band with some of the same papers...the fab sketch is from last weeks My Mums Craft Shop Challenge but oops too late but luckily it fits for their challenge this week too...I'm also entering it for the {PIN}spirational Challenge and The Cutie Pie Challenge too...I'm off to the stupidmarket today with my Dad and might do a bit of crafting when I get home, well if I have the time

now onto my new release news...watch out for tomorrows post we have a fantastic lush new Christmas digi release at Sugar Nellie with a fab blog hop (with prizes of course)...so pop by here or start of on the Sugar Nellie blog for all the details at 9am tomorrow

right that's me for today...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and speak to a stranger, you never know you might make their day or even better make a friend

Mina xxx

everyone hang your head...

Good morning everyone how are you all...well and happy I hope...before anything else please bow your heads for a second and join in a moments silence for Harry...yes Harry the Hitchhiker is no more...he met a not too dignified end on the sole of Phil's shoe bless him, there was a lot of screaming and running involved and it wasn't from Harry or Phil lol...but on a happier note I can now go into one of the spare rooms and empty boxes (oh no I haven't got an excuse now lol)...well our bathroom is decorated and Phil thinks its finished, men dont realise the little touches that make a room do they, I think they think it just happens lol...so a shopping trip for little extras is needed, I'm hovering between either pink gingham curtains and rose trims sewn onto cream towels (I gave up wishing for the Cath Kidston ones, way too much) or plain towels and rose fabric curtains and accessories....hhhhhmmmm will have to think about it a bit more I think I would love to know what you think, did you all join in my new candy yet its a good one for all you die cutting fans so pop below and join in if you haven't already...right now onto my card for today...I love the Simply Adorables from Sugar Nellie don't you and I keep going back to colour them, I think because they are digis you can make them different sizes and reuse then differently each time...this is the stunning Verity standing coloured with distress inks...I kept the design really simple to show off this stunning paper from the beautiful Kaisercraft - Sweet Nothings 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I used some American Crafts Thickers letters aged with distress inks for the pink sentiment and finished with a few of the butterflies from the paper cut out for embellishments...I think this is about as clean and simple as my designs get lol, I'm entering this for the Cutie Pie Challenge, Paper Pretties challenge and Simon Says Stamp Challenge too...right I'm off out with my lovely Dad for coffee and food shopping today, I hate food shopping don't you, I think its trying to think of what to make for dinners etc that bores the hell out of me...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and watch out for any of Harry's little friends
Mina xxx
p.s. sorry about the bad photos but it was getting dull when I took them, I will retake them if or when we get any sun today

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen, frayed burlap
outfit - spun sugar, crushed olive, victorian velvet
shoes - victorian velvet, pumice stone
ribbon - shabby shutters

hop hop hop...

Good morning everyone, are you all well and having a great week?...I hope so...I did nothing at all yesterday as I had a rotten migraine...I hate them don't you, feeling sick and dizzy and all those dancing light, thankfully it has eased today and I only have the fuzzy hangover head thing instead, not fair considering I don't drink is it lol...anyway onto today's card which is for our monthly Mo's Digital Pencil Dreamteam's blog hop. our host this month is the fabulous

Alice
so you need to hop on over there to start at the beginning as you don't want to miss a chance of winning one of the two $5 store credits on offer to one of our commenter's...don't forget to leave everyone a comment to stand a chance of winning...Alice chose the lush theme of Pretty in Pink

you should have arrived at my blog from the amazing Debbie but if you didn't and want to join in start at Alice's...I chose this fantastic i_forgot which was a freebie but you can now get from Mo's Digital Pencil...I coloured this piece of cuteness with distress inks and teamed it up with some lush papers from the Glitz 6x6 paper pack-Pretty in pink pad, perfect for this challenge isn't it, I bought this from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and finished with some seam binding, pearls, buttons and a beautiful Prima flower

the fabulous sketch is from the the Cutie Pie Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Ribbon Reel Challenge...I don't often make easel cards because I hate photographing them as you never know which angle is the best do you...your next stop on our hop is the fab
Pops
have fun on the rest of the hop and don't forget your comments...I'm off out today for a bit of retail therapy and to help clear the mustiness in my head, then out to dinner with family tonight...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx
p.s. I have candy on offer the link is at the top of my sidebar

distress ink colours used
pumice stone, spun sugar, shabby shutters,
victorian velvet

fancy a bite?...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and have a fantastic weekend planned, oh I forgot to tell you that when we were at the supermarket on Thursday we were just starting our shopping when my Dad nudged me with a grin and arched his eyebrows towards a young woman who was bending over, she had THE worst case of builders bum we had ever seen and that included most builders...for those of you who don't now what builders bum is...its when builders don't keep their trousers pulled up enough and there is always a valley of buttocks showing, made even worse when they bend over...I was so tempted to tell her but then it wasn't very warm and I'm sure she new just how much was showing...mind it wasn't much better when she straightened up...seriously woman check your clothing before you leave the house, you would wonder if some people get dressed in the dark wouldn't you lol, now don't get me wrong I'm not the height of fashion or by any stretch of the imagination slim but I do make sure my bits are at least covered and hopefully dont have bits that should so stay covered arent going to pop out...right now onto my card for today, I used the amazingly beautiful Bite? from Mo's Digital Pencil, I love this image her face is just stunning, I kept my colouring with distress ins very monochrome and just did mostly shading and a bit of greens to match this incredible Graphic45 Rainforest double sided paper from their Tropical Travelogue range...I couldn't resist this amazing paper, I think it was the colours, so lush and well...er...tropical lol...I finished my card with a gorgeous satin black bow and a few pearls in different shades of green...the fantastic cas sketch is from Twisted Tuesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cutie Pie challenge too...we are off out today and you never now where we will end up...I feel an Ikea moment coming on but sssssshhhhhhh dont tell Phil lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and watch out for builders bum syndrome
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - black soot
shading - pumice stone
green shading - shabby shutters

we should all sparkle now and again...

Good morning everyone did you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, it isn't finished here as today is a public holiday too...well Sunday lunch was the biggest of success, my poor Dad and Daughter have both come down with some mystery virus and felt really rotten (although that could explain why I haven't felt the best for the last few days) they had high temperature and felt ill, so there was a lot of leftover food and lunch was at 2 and everyone had left by 3.20 leaving Phil and me to watch Happy Feet and Jurassic Park before nodding off for a few hours...I hope they are feeling better today the poor things...there's a virus doing the rounds here atm but hopefully not everyone will get it...they all had plans for today too which have had to be shelved...I really feel for them its rotten being not well isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, our host this month is the fabulous Dorcas and she chose Ribbon or Twine, great choice but instead of my usual ribbon I chose twine...the stunning cute stamp is from The Greeting Farm and is called Glimmer Bean, I paper pieced her cute little outfit and coloured her with distress inks, she suits those colours don't you think...the lush paper is from the Glitz 6x6 Paper Pad Vintage Blue...I'm loving these fabulous Glitz paper pads...the twine is from the Sew Easy Bakers Twine Neutrals set but I dyed it a little with some scattered straw distress inks, I did this by adding a few drops to some water and soaking the twine in it...when it was dry it was tinted yellow...I will definitely tint more like this its a great way of altering the colourway slightly to fit with your colours...I finished with the sparkle sentiment which is from the same GF stamp Glimmer Bean...we should all feel like we sparkle now and again shouldn't we, even if its just us that notices lol...the sketch is from Sweet Stampin but I'm like the cows tail, always behind lol...I missed the deadline for it...I'm entering it for The Cutie Pie Challenge, Anyone for Anya challenge and the ATC's & Cards with attitude challenge...I'm off to the supermarket with my lovely Dad today is hes feeling any better, I don't think its a good idea but he wants to go out for food shopping so will do as I'm told lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic Easter Monday and when you have time check out the rest of our wonderful DT's work over at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge
Mina xxx

distress inks used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - scattered straw, antique linen, frayed burlap
wings on heart - stormy skies

all together now...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...

Good morning everyone, I hope you all had the best weekend and didn't get accosted by any little old ladies in bathrooms...we had a fab day yesterday, I had a really good natter with my Dad all about his surgeon and operation he is so excited and his surgeon says because he is operating on his really bad eye he will be given the all clear to drive again within a few weeks, I hope has hasn't forgotten how, its fantastic to hear him so upbeat as not getting about was weighing him down, he likes his Independence...its his Birthday today, my wonderful, gentle, kind Dad is 79 today, but its always tinged with a little sadness for him as it would have been his anniversary too and just brings home how much he misses my Mum, we all do and its the reason I don't really make Mothers Day cards...I haven't anything planned as we don't have any transport but I will come up with something to get him out, just need to get my thinking cap on...right now onto my card for today which is for our challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...this month is our wonderful teamie Karina's choice and she chose Shabby Chic/Vintage, I always struggle with this as I never know if I'm doing it right...isn't this little Bildmalarna - Mimosa Picnic stamp just sssssooooo gorgeous, I coloured her with distress inks and these amazing papers are from the new Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Almanac I love every single one of these papers they are so so lush, even the tiny music sheet, newsprint and the cut out butterflies are from the same pad...I added some of the gorgeous Kaisercraft Pearl Flourishes Decorative - Black, I finished with a few teeny roses from my stash and a 25mm Berisford Small Check Gingham SHOCKING PINK from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop...I know it doesn't look shocking pink but that's because I stained it with antique linen distress ink, it works ok doesn't it...everything except the roses and ribbon are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Crafty Cardmakers challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cutie Pie challenge and The Ribbon Reel challenge...I'm off to put my thinking cap on for my Dads day and make a card, whatever your up to if your lucky enough to have one or two parents still with us, show or tell you love them today, they are worth a little effort
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
shoes,dress, hatband and trousers - tattered rose
hat - antique linen
greens - peeled paint
flowers - scattered straw
wheel - black soot

sssssssshhhhhhhh dont tell him...

Good morning everyone I hope you all have a brilliant weekend planned, I would love to know what your doing...go on you know you want to make everyone jealous lol...my lovely Dads hand is load's better, it turns out his hand is infected and because he walks with two crutches the pressure was making it much worse and causing it to swell really badly, I must admit though I would feel much happier if he had x-ray, do you think if I go to the hospital and tell them it will put my mind at rest they would do it...no maybe not lol...I had a fab late night shop with my darling Daughter, although the rain never stopped and it was freezing, I must admit though I was so shocked as the shops were so so quiet, there were a lot of shops with just us doing any shopping, a sign of the times I guess, I remember a few years ago you could hardly get moved on late night Christmas shopping Friday's here...so sad isn't it...we did manage a festive Starbucks coffee at least, it was nice but I find them a little sickly, I love good coffee and think to add all those flavours and sprinkle bits is a waste...right now onto my card for today, I have to swear you to secrecy though as this is my Christmas card for my Phil so ssssssshhhhh not a word, I thought he would love this Sassy Studio Designs Reindeer Games, shes a sweetie isn't she, I coloured her with distress inks and used my favourite colour combo of red and green but with a little twist of modern I think, I haven't a clue who this paper is by as the name strip was missing, but I like it, the lush ribbon is from The Pretty little ribbon shop and is called Red Large Polka Dot 15mm Ribbon, I'm entering this for the Sketch N Stash challenge, my stash is this beauty and this fab paper which I have had for ages, Papertake weekly challenge and The Cutie Pie challenge too...we are out for coffee today and you never know maybe even a little mooch too...whatever your up to today have a fantastic festive time
Mina xxx
p.s. all you Saturated Canary fans pop on over to their blog and have a look at the competition they are running, I have entered so would love a vote from one or two of you, only if you want to of course, or even vote for one of the other as there is some amazing work there...thanks

a little bit of fizzy...

Good morning everyone, I hope you have all managed to stay sniffle free, I'm fine just a head cold and we women don't let little things like that bother us do we...well unless your working with glitter then its a good idea to stop the sneezes before they happen as my desk is testament to...its covered with a layer of very fine white glitter...I cleaned it the best I could but never mind its very festive and pretty anyway lol, luckily it was after I was finished and I was putting the glitter away or else all the cards I made yesterday would have been covered too...I had a brilliant play day yesterday, love those kinds of days dont you...I didn't realise until later when I was in the bathroom washing my hands I was covered from head to toe too, thank goodness I had my glasses on...anyway onto my card for today which is using this gorgeous little Fizzy Moon Wish Upon a Star stamp I bought when I struggled through that crowd at Dunelm Mill...isn't he just gorgeous, mind I think my colouring of him could have been a bit better, I don't think I got the colours just right, I used my distress inks of course and paper pieced his fab little star, the papers are from the Making Memories 8x8 Noel speciality paper pack I bought ages ago...I love this pack but its nearly finished, I finished my card with some lush lace and ribbon and a button, the sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and I'm also entering it for the Cutie Pie challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today to get his Christmas present...he wants slippers but I'm taking him to a posh shop to get them after finally managing to convince him that I should spend more on his slippers than on shoes for him as he spends most of his time in slipper, now does that not make sense to you lot too...whatever your up to have a wonderful day
Mina xxx

oooohhhhh guess what I got...

Good morning everyone did you all have a wonderful Saturday?...we stayed in town for ages...well er...I think it just felt like ages it was actually only about an hour, hated the crowds so we had lunch then left and decided Phil will take a days holiday so we don't have to go weekend christmas shopping...sounds like a good plan to me...but I did get a parcel yesterday morning...I grabbed it nearly taking the skin off the poor postman's hands lol...then while doing my happy dance I ripped it open because I knew what it was...all six of the limited edition Tim Holtz Autumn and Winter colour distress inks....I bought them from Sugar Nellie but I think Karen has sold out I'm afraid...cant wait to colour with them, my colouring hand is twitching as I type...will show you the new colours during the week I promise...my card for today is using this gorgeous little Kisses digi stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil no one else but the wonderful Mo can draw like this, I couldn't resist that face she is so beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks and found half a sheet of this amazing pink double sided paper from Prima Flight of Fancy Collection...this is called Blooming Happiness ...when I was making this card I knew exactly which sketch I would use as I wanted to keep the design simple so she shone...all I needed to finish my card was a thin satin ribbon and three charms with the holes cut off...the fab sketch is from Tuesday morning sketches challenge and I'm also entering this for the Cutie Pie challenge and Creative Card Crew challenge too...I think we are going out to lunch today depending on how Phil feels as he has the sniffles the poor lamb but I might sneak some colouring time in before we go just to try out the new colours of course lol...whatever your up to today have a wonderful Sunday
Mina xxx

a few questions answered and more lush paper...

Good morning everyone how are you all doing, did you join in my new candy yet...the links on the side so why not give it a go...I have had a few emails over the last week asking me some questions about cutting out and paper piecing so here goes with my answers, I hope they help a bit...cutting out, I use a teeny tiny pair of curved Pergamano scissors which I keep razor sharp with emery boards, they are super pointy too (as my poor hands know only too well lol), I don't have a die cutting machine and use templates for the shapes of my image which I draw round and cut out with my scissors, my tried and tested method of cutting out fast is only move your image, I know that sounds strange but until you get used to it if you rest your arm with the scissors and only move your paper hand you will be surprised how fast you get, right now paper piecing when I cut out I edge the image with a black pen so I don't get any raw white edges and when they are stuck on I add shadows using a grey water colour pen, it makes a difference and makes it more dimensional...sorry for being so long winded, I would do some tutorials but I'm rubbish at them and take days to make just one...keep the questions coming I'm more than happy to help, well if I can...right onto my card for today which is using another of the lush Fairy Glen Sugar Nellie release available at Funkykits, this is the gorgeous Pippi Longsocks, isn't she so so cute, I coloured her with distress inks and glittered her up of course (you know the crafter's law don't you lol)...I used more of the fantastic Prima Madeline collection papers...I used another for the image mount and cut some teeny flowers from the paper for decoration...I'm entering this for the Lollipop Crafts challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday challenge and the Cutie Pie Bingo challenge...I'm having a crafting day today, oh I love these kinda days don't you...they always seem to be a Tuesday and Wednesday with me for some strange reason...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

who could resist that face...

Good morning everyone...winter has arrived here and I think hibernation may be the order of the day...I even have my fluffy bed socks out of mothballs....bbbbbrrrrrrr...I had to go to Asda for printer ink yesterday and its filled with goodies for Christmas, is it just me or does it get earlier every year, what next Easter Eggs in December do you reckon lol...you know what this chilly weather means don't you....their bbbaaaacccckkkk...the spiders I mean I had three, yes three of the massive big things last night and the neighbours will be sending for the men in the white coats I think with me running around with a slipper like a loony again, I tell you whats worse than that is they are so massive I cant bring myself to move them and when I got up this morning one had disappeared so either its lurking somewhere waiting to go for my jugular or something bigger came and ate it...uuuuugggghhhhhh, I haven't a clue where they are coming from I'm sure someone is letting them loose in my house every night despite searching the house from top to bottom I cant find one web, I have tried the peppermint oil thing and all the sprays etc I can think off...the only thing I can think of now is a spider eating snake lol, Im determined to risk life and limb and trap one to show you how big they are so I have three clear vases in strategic places waiting to be grabbed to pop over the top so watch this space...right enough blethering onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Colour Create challenge and this time the choice is mine...I chose Lilac, Grey and White and the extra option is snowflakes, you have to try this colour combo it works so well for a frosty card...I used the stunning Santa's Hat Girl from Mo's digital Pencil coloured with distress inks and paper pieced, now who could resist that little face...adorable...I punched the snowflakes shapes out of the lilac gingham and overlaid it onto this super sparkly paper which is in fact wrapping paper from my gift from my Daughter, I loved the paper so much I kept it, the photos don't do it justice as its super sparkly, I will see if I can get a better photo if the sun ever comes out again...I finished my card with a squiggly ribbon bow and one of the punched snowflakes from the paper...I'm entering this for The Ribbon Girls Christmas challenge, Fab N Funky die cut or punches challenge and the Cutie Pie Bingo challenge (I chose Lilac, Glitter and ribbon)...right I'm of to the supermarket with my lovely Dad today, if he doesn't go for a few days he gets withdrawal symptoms, either that or he has shares in Sainsburys he hasnt told me about lol...when you have time pop on over to Colour Create and see what our amazing team came up with for my colour choice, I cant wait to see what you come up with...have a brilliant day and keep warm
Mina xxx

welcome to the insect graveyard...

Good morning everyone...bbbbrrrrr I hope your keeping warmer than we are in Northern Ireland, it was really cold and wet last night...you should see my kitchen its like an insect graveyard there's slippers and shoes scattered all over the place too, I found five yes five of those big hairy massive spiders we are getting this year in my kitchen last night while I was trying to have dinner...I gave up in the end and left them to it...I'm sure my neighbours think I'm a nutter running around with slippers and shoes in my hand lol...I will clean them up I just have to pluck up the courage first...I think my vaccum is needed for this quantity don't you...my card for today is for our new challenge over at Colour Create challenge and this time its our lovely Sharon's choice of colours and she chose the yummy combo of Lime, Aqua and White with an extra option of using butterflies, this really is a lush combo you will love using...the fantastic image is of course from Mo's Digital Pencil and she is the beautiful Teen Fairy Mia, look at that face isn't she stunning, I coloured her with distress inks and yes that's more glitter on her dress and wings lol...the fabulous papers are from the Basicgrey Marjolaine collection and is called Tiramisu...perfect for this challenge aren't they...I used some fantastic Light Blue Faux Silk Wrinkle ribbon from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, wow I love this ribbon...I finished with a few punched teeny butterflies and a sentiment circle, the sketch is from The Cutie Pie Challenge and Im also entering it for the Crafty Creations challenge and Get Hippity with Ippity challenge too...I finished my project I was working on and I ssssssooooo enjoyed making it but you will have to wait until Saturday then all will be revealed, well the project will anyway lol...whatever your up to today watch out for the creepy crawlies and stay warm and if you have time pop on over to Colour Create to see the rest of the teams amazing work and maybe join in with our DT call
Mina xxx