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

revenge of the red...

Good morning everyone do you have anything brilliant planned for today?, we wont be going far as poor Phil has to go into work this morning and wont be back until late lunchtime...I will give you a little hint for the future, when your planning a shopping trip with your Daughter...never, never, never wear high heeled boots because 4 hours later you will feel like your walking on broken glass lol...oooohhhhh what we go through for vanity...the reason we went on a little shopping trip was our Daughter has just got a brand new job and has to go away for three weeks for training...its a fantastic job and whats really important is its full time...she has been existing on a part time job since she was made redundant and has finally landed a fantastic managerial job again...my heart has been broken watching her struggle on a part time wage when she was used to a Managers wage but waiting finally paid off and she has the job of her dreams...so we had to go to town for a little make over shopping trip, new hairdo, makeup, clothes etc so she can look her best for her three weeks in a four star hotel (no of course I don't envy her lol)...I'm so thrilled and excited for her and hope she enjoys her time away even though it is for work...of course I will worry myself sick while shes away but at least I can feed her other half and keep him company so I still have my surrogate son to pamper lol...I know you will all wish her your best and keep everything crossed that things go smoothly because your such caring people but Im sure she really doesn't need luck shes brilliant at her job and is so clever...right now onto my card for today which just goes to show just when you think you have managed to get a handle on colouring with the dreaded red, it jumps up and bites you on the bum lol...I noticed when I uploaded this that the red on her lips mustn't have been dry properly when I made the card and has spread a little so she has much fuller lips than she should have...of course this stunning image is from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called Kitchen Dance c...amazing isn't it, I coloured it with my usual distress inks and how about these fantastic papers them...they have been designed by my mate Jak Heath, they are from the Romancing Paper Pack...how multi talented is that woman and would you believe you can get them for just £1...I cute some of the roses out for embellishments and used a beautiful satin ribbon to finish it off...the lush sketch is from the Feeling Sketchy Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Delightful Challenge and the Paper Crafting Journey Challenge too...I'm off to take something to settle my stomach as its churning at the thought of our Daughter driving all the miles she has too on her own...ooooohhhh the joys of parenting lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic relaxing one

Mina xxx
p.s. ots candy day tomorrow so pop back for a chance to win something gorgeous

distress ink colours used

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

hair - him - pumice stone

her - frayed burlap

outifts - her - top, lips, beads, nails and sandels - fired brick, barn door

skirt - pimice stone, forest moss, peeled paint

his - top - pumice stone, barn door

trousers - antique linen

shoes - frayed burlap

shading - pumice stone

hhhheeeelllpppppppp.....

Good morning everyone did you all have a lovely Sunday...did you notice I was missing?...my ISP is playing silly tricks again...my connection was in and out on Saturday then went off Saturday night and only came back about 8pm last night...I had posts to do too aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh why does things like that always happen when you need to get things done...is it sods law do you think...anyway I'm calm now lol...we didn't do anything yesterday at all, the heavens opened and it didn't stop pouring until last night I was expecting an ark or two floating up the street at any second lol...but at least we don't have it as bad as some places in the mainland and the USA, I watched an amazing time lapse video last night on Facebook of a snow storm it was like something out of a movie as the snow covered everything including the window it was being filmed from...really scary...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge, so everything I used except the ribbon came from Bunny Zoe's Crafts of course...this month the challenge is Flowers & Pearls...I couldn't resist buying this stunning stamp set from Kaisercraft when I saw it...this one is called Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Periwinkle, another stunning set from them...I coloured it with my usual distress inks and teamed it up with one of their stunning paper pads, these papers are from the Kaisercraft - Pickled Pear 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...stunning colours aren't they...I finished with a few strips of pearls, a mix of 3mm and 4mm mixed pearl sets and a bias binding bow...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge and the Delightful Challenge...I will have to show you the card I had for yesterday another day, well ISP willing that is...I'm going to spend today sheltering from the rain and crafting I think, I fancy a bit of crafting therapy...we all know those sort of day don't we...the kind of days when you need to create something, so fingers crossed my mojo stays intact for it lol...whatever your up to today if you have time pop on over to the Bunny Zoe's Crafts blog to see what the rest of our fabulous DT came up with...have a good dry one everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

rose - scattered straw, antique linen

leaves - shabby shutters, peeled paint

open flower - antique linen

feather - tumbled glass, stormy sky

shading around image - pumice stone

shading at edge - antique linen

and now for something a bit different...

Good morning everyone and a Happy Thanksgiving for yesterday to our American cousins...I got a bit confused this week as I always thought Thanksgiving was on the 25th November but apparently its the fourth Thursday in November, now I never knew that, I love it when I learn something new every day don't you...my lovely Dad is back from Belfast and looking brilliant, hes going back again in a couple of weeks and then again for Christmas...my goodness that man gets about lol...hes a bit more cheerful than he was before but then he wasn't at home if you know what I mean...home is always harder without the people you love who have gone isn't it...so I'm hoping we can take his mind off the anniversaries while hes here and between visits to Belfast...we had to have some 'put the world to rights coffee' of course, I love those chats with my Dad over a pot of Lady Grey and a cheese scone (although the cheese scone was hot and gave me indigestion lol)...I always feel so lucky to share those times with my Dad...I was quite shocked yesterday though as I had to teach a woman in front of me how to get coffee???...its not complicated you know put your cup underneath and press the button...no thank you though all she said was you must spend a lot of time in here...I do mind lol but I wouldn't need too to know how to work a button now would I its not rocket science after all...right now onto my card for today which is a little out of my normal comfort zone but it does you good now and again to get outside it...the stamp is from Just Inklined and is from a Christmas stamp set called Holly Ribbon Chapel...its a fabulous set and I love this holly and ribbon banner and the cute sprig don't you...I coloured them with distress inks and used three layers to raise it up a bit...oh and of course I had to use some glitter on the ribbon of course...the lush paper is from Teresa Collins Designs Christmas cottage collection and is called Tiny Flowers, the stripe is the reverse...I finished with a stamped sentiment on a kraft luggage tag...the sketch I made up as I went along and I'm entering it for the Delightful Sketches Challenge, Crafty Creations Challenge and the Try It On Tuesday challenge...I'm going to do a bit of emptying of the last of the boxes today, yes I know its terrible we still have a few but we wont have by this evening...I need to get them done before we get all the Christmas decorations etc out next weekend...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope wherever you are you aren't affected by the terrible weather and stay safe

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

leaves and holly - mix of shabby shutter, peeled paint, crushed olive

berries - barn door

ribbon shading - antique linen

the long awaited dress...

Good morning everyone are you all well and having a good week?...well the hair is cut but the girlie things had to go on hold as our beautiful Daughter had to work late so they will have to wait until later in the week...I did buy a navy nail varnish but having tried it out last night its more suited to Halloween than a wedding and with my very long nails makes me look like a wicked witch so I will go back to the idea of the diy french manicure instead I think...I have also been hobbling around the house in my new high heels...I never wear heels except boots I'm definitely a sneaker girl and even wear them with skirts...I love converse style shoes they are so comfy..so I thought I better try and get used to my heels, its isn't working though and I have started to look a bit like a kid in her Mums shoes and feel like one too lol...I think Phil likes the heels around the house though, well except for the tappy noise on the wooden floors...the photo of my dress and the cashmere cardigan I bought to go with it are below...the photo is very bad and doesn't do the beautiful heavy linen fabric and underskirt any justice at all but at least you can see the colours and get a better picture of what it will look like with the hat and shoes...right now enough wedding waffle lol onto my card for today which is using another of the gorgeous new digis from Sugar Nellie I'm loving this release are you?

this little bit of gorgeousness is called Forest Friends...I coloured it with distress inks and used a Marvy pen for the bright red...the stunning paper is from Basicgrey's Hello Luscious collection and is called Zesty...it isn't a Christmas paper but it works for it don't you think...I finished with a red gingham bow and a couple of green pearls...I'm not sure where the sketch is from but if you know let me know so I can give them credit...I'm entering this for the Craftymess challenge and the Delightful challenge too...I'm off to try and give  my mojo the kiss of life, wish me luck I need it...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair and animals - antique linen, frayed burlap

clothes - pumice stone, crushed olive, shabby shutters

red - marvy pen

shading - pumice stone

the dress that caused the second outfit trouble lol

lost it...

Good morning everyone sorry I'm late this morning but my internet connection was off for the last 12 hours...so I got on the phone this morning to tear them off a strip as I pay extra for their super fast reliable service and was going to give someone a piece of my mind (not that I can afford it lol)...the young woman on the phone was so nice and explained about updating the system etc to give me a better service, apologising for not letting me know when...I came of the phone thinking what the hell happened there...they should give that girl a raise she is SO good at her job lol...anyway its back on now, a bit hit and miss but back'ish...I need your opinion today...remember the shoe saga well I want to ask your opinions...I have found three shoes and want to know what you think so the FIRST (incredible value and good reviews), SECOND (stunning, excellent reviews but oh boy that price) and THIRD (another incredible price and I love the ruffle but maybe not as comfortable)...let me know what you think as I cant take you all shopping with me (I wish) and need some advice, I would ask Phil but hes sick of listening to the show saga and my beautiful Daughter would go for something completely different and super high which I would totter around in for a couple of hours then go barefoot for the rest of the day lol....anyway onto my card for today and I'm still lacking mojo in a major way but here's my effort anyway...this is such a beautifully delicate stamp and I really didn't do it justice...its from Wild Rose Studio and is called Hanging Gifts, its so pretty isn't it, I will have to use it again to give it a better go I think...I teamed it up with one of my favourite Christmas pads so far the My Mind's Eye - All is Bright 6x6 pad, I finished with a Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy bow everything is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Anything Goes challenge and the Delightful Challenge...I'm going to lock myself in my craft room today until either my mojo comes back or I go nuts...its a toss up which will come first lol...whatever your up to today have a good one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

blues - mix of stormy sky, tumbled glass

red - barn door

shading - stormy sky

bunnies - antique linen, barn door

birds - frayed burlap, barn door

a boy and his dog...

Good morning everyone are you all having a brilliant weekend?...the heavens opened here yesterday morning and it hardly stopped all day...so its hi from a very soggy us, its chilly too, like November not July...while I was out yesterday and was eavesdropping on people moaning an talking about the weather and was wondering what is this obsession we British have with the weather...its either too hot, too wet, too cold...wouldn't it be lovely to overhear someone saying 'oh today is just right' lol...although we would probably all faint...my love Dad took me shopping yesterday but I couldn't find the birthday present for my Nephew so I did what any reasonable person does, rang his Mum and got her to get it, she knew exactly where to go and they are coming here tomorrow for a little celebration tea for him, I'm so looking forward to that...well the boxes are made up and we are starting with the attic and airing cupboard today and we might even get to the wardrobes depending how fast we are, we are determined to be ruthless and sort at least half of what we have to give to charity or the onto the skip...well that's the plan anyway lol...right now onto my card for today, how sweet is this little cutie from Whimsy stamps...hes called Whimsy Little Jack and Bobbin Gone Fishin' I coloured it with distress inks and used more of the stunningly lush coloured papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Doodle Deux pad , the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts I finished with a sentiment cut from the same pad, a lush rusty orange glitzy ribbon bow and a lot of buttons...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Creations Challenge and Delightful Challenge...right I'm off to put my work gear on (do we all have a set of these, mine are paint and plaster spattered crop trousers and my Leonardo Da Vince sweatshirt)...whatever your up to today I hope yours is going to be a bit more restful than ours
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
wagon and contents - scattered straw, frayed burlap, stormy sky, barn door, spiced marmalade
grass - shabby shutters
flowers - spiced marmalade
outfit and pole - stormy sky, pumice stone, barn door

more bling and a huge bow...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, I have finally got the photo posting working, bloody BT again I think...my wireless connection has only just reappeared after 2 months...have you got anything spectacular arranged for this weekend?...its tiddling down here after two glorious days of sunshine, my lovely Dad came home last and he thinks hes to blame for the weather bless him lol...we headed for Belfast yesterday but decided to stop at a pub for lunch on the way and didn't get any further, I would hate to see it if they were busy the main course took 45 mins to arrive, I ordered salmon in a dill sauce and....it was microwaved I was flabbergasted...microwaved for goodness sake, Phil asked me how I knew but you know don't you, freshly cooked food will be hotter on the outside than the inside and microwaved is warm on surface and volcanic in the middle isn't it...wont be going back there I think...we turned around after that and headed for the closest town where we hit the shops to buy Phil a Birthday present for Monday (21 again lol), he doesn't want anything and every time I picked something he just shrugged his shoulders, I hate shopping for present for men don't you...right now onto my card for today, I can remember what this A Day for Daisies image is called I have hunted my digi folder and cant find it, but it has to be there I think its a case of cant see for looking lol...anyway I coloured her with distress inks and glittered just about everything I could...the amazing paper is Graphic45 Steampunk Debutant Modern Marvels isn't it stunning, I love Graphic45 don't you, I finished with a stamped sentiment using a Kaisercraft stamp set and a tag from the papers and of course this huge massive organza bow, lush isn't it...the fab sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday and I'm also entering it for the Digi Makover Challenge and Delightful Challenge...we are off to the stupidmarket with my Dad today to stock up his cupboards for him then maybe a family dinner tonight, I'm hoping while I'm the shops something comes to me for Phil's Birthday present....well I live in hope lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
flowers - pine needles
shading - pumice stone

I need to get one of these...

Good morning everyone I hope your having a fab bank holiday...I'm still not here but here in the virtual sense again, thank goodness for scheduling...we should be heading off into the Donegal mountains on a picnic today, weather permitting as the tops of the mountains have been know to have all four seasons in an hour let alone a day, so fingers crossed we don't need our thermals and hot water bottles for the picnic lol...I once went for a drive with my Sister and her family who were visiting from England and we decided to take the kids to an ice cream factory and had to go across two mountain tops to get there...it was a beautiful spring day when we lefts as we crossed the first mountain there was thick thick fog and we almost killed two sheep, coming down the other side there was hail, across the top of the next one was snow, down the other side rain then bright warm sunshine...see what I mean lol...my Sister was gobsmacked and spent the whole time shaking her in disbelief...right now onto my card for today which is my version of all the Red, White and Blue themes going around and is using this amazing King for the Day from Mo's Digital pencil, well who else would it be by look at that expression...I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced his amazing chair (I so need to get one of these for Phil, I want to see his face do that lol)...the fab paper is from K & Co's classic collection and I used some red and white ribbons a couple of buttons and a tag from my stash to finish...the lush sketch is from the My Time Made Easy challenge and I'm also entering it for the Delightful sketches challenge and the Moving along with the Times challenge too...I will be back in real time on Wednesday but have a post tomorrow for you to see too...whatever your up to today enjoy the holiday

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - pumice stone
top - pumice stone, barn door
trousers - black soot, barn door
socks - pumice stone, barn door
drink - pumice stone, barn door
shading on chair - grey marvy pen

Beauty...

Good morning everyone did you all enjoy your Friday, did you get away for the day or stay at home, Phil didn't go to the racing and spent the day with me instead, what a little Darling isn't he...we went out for lunch and yummy it was too, had a little mooch around some shops and later on I cooked Chinese food, yes I know I cooked it don't all faint lol...Phil's away at the racing today though so I'm all alone for the whole day as hes usually very late back...so crafting and maybe some tv today...btw I forgot to tell you all about a bit of excitement that happened the day before we went down to the farmhouse, I was just getting ready to go in the shower and Phil was getting some things together to take with us and I heard really loud screaming for help, you know the panicky feeling you get in your chest when you hear something like that well I dashed out of the bathroom looked out my bedroom window and the young woman who has just moved in across the road from us was on her knees in her front garden leaning forward with her head in her hands screaming help I dashed out the bathroom and met Phil in the hall who was heading for the front door, the man next door and two neighbours further up the cul de sac were running towards her at the same time, I had visions of her being cut open or worse...they were having an argument and he wouldn't give her the keys to the car would you believe...we all asked if she needed help and she totally blanked us and on her feet as quick as a flash continued to scream at him through their front door...well really woman you nearly gave us all a heart attack lol...anyway onto my card for today, how amazingly beautiful is this Spring Fairy Aleta from Mo's digital Pencil...she is so gorgeous to colour but then when isn't one of Mo's images...I coloured her with distress inks and used this shaped paper from the Prima Madeline collection, I don't know what the sheets called though as this was by itself...I loved this paper so much I only added a ribbon and bow to finish...the Beauty sentiment is already on the sheet...there is no sketch today but Im entering this for the Fairy Fun Friday challenge and the Delightful Challenge...I have loads of printed images to colour today not for any reason just for the sheer pleasure of colouring, oh and I might just make a couple of cards with them lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and if you need to run out in the road make sure your not in your dressing gown lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
skirt - worn lipstick
dandelion - antique linen, peeled paint, shabby shutters

all about the paper...

Good morning everyone are you having a fantastic weekend?...anything exciting happening?, I would love to know what you thought of the Sugar Nellie two day hop and which is your favourite new stamp...now I need an aaaaaawwwwwwww from you all, I didn't even get through to the next round of the Graphic45 call, but then it was a massive long shot going in for it, its mainly a scrapbooking DT I think and I don't scrapbook so I'm not disappointed at all and dont take things like that personally, there are many reasons to pick someone for a DT and I just didnt fit this one...I have fabulous news about my wonderful Dad, he got his appointment for his eye measuring would you believe the end of May and was told it would take at least 4 months after that for his operation appointment so we all had a good talk and decided he should have it done in a private hospital, he has an appointment on Tuesday and all being well his operation will be 29th March, wow how fast is that...I am so so excited for him he has been really struggling bless him, hes an avid reader, in fact I have always said its a good thing toilet paper doesn't have writing on it or we will never get him out of the loo, but he has been struggling the last few months to see to read...that will all be behind him this time next month and I cant wait for him to be able to drive again so we can be off on our jaunts together, we have both missed them so much, so keep your fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for him...right now onto my card for today which is using this fabulous Some Odd Girl image called Sweet Kaylee, I bought her ages and ages ago and looked for the link to her but cant find it in their shop...I coloured her with distress inks and used a half sheet of an amazingly coloured double sided Basicgrey Marjolaine collection paper called Mint Fudge, isn't that a fabulous name and it really suits the paper perfectly doesn't it, I let the paper dictate the sketch as the large flowers are cut from the reverse and I punched more flowers from the paper, all I needed to add was some lush coloured buttons (and no I didn't swallow any lol)...I'm entering this for the CES challenge, Delightful Challenge and the One Stop Craft challenge, I have been so so busy lately I haven't had any blog hopping time but I will tonight so I cant wait to see what you have all been up to...we are taking my Dad to town today for a little mooch and maybe a spot of lunch...whatever your doing I hope its a good day for you
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
skirt & hairslides - faded jeans
shoes, bag & top - shabby shutters
shading - pumice stone