conspiracy theory...

Good morning everyone are you all having a brilliant week?...I did nothing yesterday and I don't mean a little bit I mean absolutely nothing at all...I did a bit of surfing on Pinterest which is fatal because I ended up with a pen and paper for writing ideas and three hours of looking...little wonder I didnt get around to anything...so it got to about 2pm and I thought right girl get your butt in gear and got all prepared to get started making decorations and doing a bit of crafting then the doorbell...just somebody doing marketing so a quick escape...back upstairs and the door bell rang...down again and this time the electricity guy to read the metre (ooooohhhhh goody an electricity bill before Christmas just what you need lol)...so a bit of nattering to the nice friendly leccy guy and back upstairs to the craft room again...settled down again and the door bell went again...I ambled downstairs muttering something like 'this is a bloody conspiracy' to be faced with another marketing person from the same company as the first....so a few choice words with him including the words 'get your companies act together and your kidding right'...by then the ideas and inclination has gone so I settled for some tv, a cup of Lady Grey and a chocolate biscuit...so that was my day...but at least I got a bit of exercise up and down the stairs lol...but my creative mind is working overtime now so it will get done today...well barring any random door bell ringers anyway lol...right now onto my card for today which is using one of my all time favourite Sugar Nellie releases this is the stunning Rebecca from the Simply Adorables collection...I only printed her head to use and coloured her with distress inks...Im not sure I got her skin tones right though she looks a bit streaky to me...I teamed her up with some more of the super lush Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Believe pack I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a huge organza bow and a sentiment stamped from the Personal Impressions Warm Winter Wishes stamp set from Funky Kits set behind a metal framed from Tim Holtz...the lush sketch is from The Sugar Bowl and I'm entering it for the The Crafty Pad Challenge, Stamping Sensations challenge and the One Stitch At a Time challenge too...right I have my crafting head on now and I'm not answering the door or phone for a while...whatever your up to today I hope its a peaceful one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eyes - tumbled glass

hair - antique linen, frayed burlap

dress and button - pumice stone

coat - barn door

you just never know do you...

Good morning everyone thank you all so so much for your wonderful comments about our new house, it means so much all your good wishes and hopes, your such kind warm people...I decided to throw away the old sofa bed that was in my craft room, its a fabulous sofa but very old and needed to go, so we dismantled it last evening as there is no way to lift it fully assembled, do you know what I found underneath it, three packs of flat backed pearls I bought ages ago at a craft fair and thought I had lost there, two pairs of scissors, ribbon, buttons and two of those huge spiders (not living thank goodness) lol...now I'm not a domestic goddess but that's awful isn't it, my excuse (and I'm sticking to it) is the sofa is so so heavy I couldn't lift it...I'm dreading moving my wardrobes now in case I find something living and with eight legs, ooohhhh I wonder if theres anything else I thought had been lost hidden there too...right now onto my card for today, I love this fantastic Sugar Nellie stamp don't you, this is the fantastic Custard from the Soft Centres collection at Funkykits...I coloured her, well I say coloured, I really just shaded her and added black markings...shes so easy to colour and look at that adorable face...the paper is a scrap I found whilst I was sorting and didn't want to waste it, so I have no idea what make or name it is...I added some kraft card too, I finished with a black bow, some lush Prima roses and a stamped sentiment, I think the sentiment is a Magnolia one...the sketch is from the The Sugar Bowl challenge but of course I cant enter that can I being on the Sugar Nellie DT...I am entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and The Crazy Challenge...I'm off to spray under beds and behind cupboards etc just in case theres anything waiting to spring on me lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one, oh and before I forget have you entered the Bunny Zoe's monthly candy yet, if not the link is on the top of my sidebar
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
shading - pumice stone
spots and hooves - black soot
flowers - stormy sky, shabby shutters

watch out for flying germs...

Good morning everyone are you all well and happy?...ok you clever clogs, you were right about the mystery virus coming back to bite me in the bum lol...my throat is so sore and almost closing and bless him my darling Phil went and got me ice cream last night to sooth it without even being asked...all together now aaaaaawwwwwww what a sweetheart...defo a keeper isn't he...I hate it when your not well don't you, especially when you don't know what it is, I know I should go to the Docs but there's nothing they can do for a virus is there so I will just let it run its course I guess...I'm missing my little mooches out with my Dad this week but hope hes having the best time ever and lying toasting in the sun...maybe that's whats up with me 'sun deprivation virus' wouldn't it be brilliant if it was that do you think you could get a holiday in the sun on prescription, Phil would have to take time off to go on holiday with me then lol, the good thing is the amount of beauty sleep I'm getting my entry for Miss World should be no problem lol....right enough waffling Mina...my card for today is using one of my favourite Sugar Nellie images, this is the amazing Searching from Funky Kits, I love this stamp...I coloured her maybe a little too softly with distress inks as the colours are hard to see in the light of my daylight lamp but there was no light to get a photo without it, her top looks white but its actually Milled Lavender...the amazingly gorgeous papers are from the Basicgrey Hello Luscious collection and is called Dazzling...fab colours isn't it, I finished with some lush gingham in lilac and a couple of pretty mixed flowers...I used the sketch from The Sugar Bowl (its ok I'm not entering now that would be cheating as I'm on the Sugar Nellie DT wouldn't it lol) but I am entering it for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge, Stamp and Create challenge and Lollipop Crafts challenge I made two cards yesterday but I need to make some more today I think, I need to get a little bit ahead just in case...whatever your up to today why not try popping into your Doctor and asking if he has heard of the 'sun deprivation virus' its worth a shot
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
top - milled lavender
jeans - evergreen bough
sky - stormy sky (what else lol)
trees and grass - mixture of forest moss & shabby shutters
flowers - barn door

goal...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a fab week...it was a strange day yesterday one of those days when its two steps forward one back, trying hard to do things and not quite getting there, I have five cards half made, when you have one of those days your better drawing a line and starting again another day aren't you...well it either that or bang your head against a brick wall and the first is less painful lol...its still taking a little bit of getting used to having Phil home, don't get me wrong I'm loving every second of it but there is teeny little things like Phil brought a clock home with him and the ticking is driving me nuts so whenever I can I stop it in the hope he will think its broken and chuck it lol...I know I'm bad I should just tell him shouldn't I...I hate ticking clocks don't you its like chinese water torture lol...right now onto my card for today, I thought it was time I did a boys card as I haven't been doing as many as normal so I chose this stunning little Sugar Nellie Striker stamp from Funky Kits for it...hes so sweet isn't he, I love these little hedgies...I coloured him with distress inks and teamed him up with this amazing double sided paper from My Minds Eye Lil' Robots range, its called Sock Em Stars...I finished with some white rope and bow, a stamped sentiment from kaisercraft and a star cut from the paper...I think this image would make a fantastic card for any boys birthday don't you...the fab sketch is from The Sugar Bowl and I'm entering it for the Lollipop Crafts challenge and Allsorts challenge too...I'm off out with my lovely Dad today I think he needs shopping, I really should buy some shares in Sainsburys shouldn't I lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
hedgie - frayed burlap, antique linen, spun sugar
grass - shabby shutters
football - spiced marmalade
bee - aged mahogany. spiced marmalade, stormy sky

not just for Christmas...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, I had a semi successful crafting day yesterday and managed 3 dt cards, but I so need to do so so much more...at least over the last couple of days I have done some fabulous blog hopping and plan to do loads more tonight, I so miss it when I don't have time to do hopping, I love a good surf don't you but I'm so easy distracted by links lol...I wont get any crafting done today as my lovely Dad needs some shopping and I feel a coffee to put the world to rights is desperately needed...well it wont sort itself out will it lol...my card for today is using a Christmas stamp, don't you just love it when you can use something all year round..I used this stunning little Wish Upon A Star from Funky Kits and with the addition of some cute teeny tiny pearls and a load of glitter I changed its use, I think it works really well don't you...I coloured her with Distress inks and I'm so sorry but I keep forgetting to keep a note of the colours I use to add at the end, but I will do my best in future...the lush papers are from the new Basicgrey Little Black Dress paper pad, this pad is so lush, when you first look at its you think its all greys and blacks but it isn't there's some pale blues and creams/gold as well, there's also an amazing animal print in it that I cant wait to use...this pad and loads of other crafting goodies were a Christmas gift from the fabulous Karen at Sugar Nellie, isn't that amazing...I finished my card with some fabulously glitzy sparkly ribbon and a bow and a couple of crown pins from the Ribbon Girl...that fabulous sketch is from the Sugar Bowl challenge and I'm entering this for the Basicgrey Challenge, have a wonderful day everyone and whatever your up to I hope you have fun
Mina xxx

wwwwoooohhhhhooooooo I passed it.....

Good morning everyone...did you all hear me yell yesterday when I passed 300,000 hits, how amazing is that I still cant quite believe it and I know its not up there with some of the amazing blogger's on the net but it is for me...you know what that means don't you, yep tomorrow is big candy day...not 1, not 2 but 6 prizes for one lucky winner and a couple of little ones for some others....oooohhhhhh I love love love giving candy away don't you...my card for today is for the Sugar Nellie DT and how stunning is little adorable sweetie called Sybil, I knew I would enjoy colouring her as soon as I saw her, I mean look at that stunning hair and those sweet little dolly shoes...I coloured her with distress inks (please note no paper piecing today lol) and teamed her up this amazingly lush paper, I know its hard to see in the horrible light I took the photo in but its glittered and glossed, its from My Minds Eye Laundry Line collection its called Wild Ferns...I really wish I had taken a better picture so you could see the detail...the flowers are a mixture from my stash, the two larger ones are from Prima, the bow is seam binding and I finished with a gold heart charm and sentiment from my stash too...the fabulous sketch is from the new challenge over at The Sugar Bowl (of course I cant join in cause I'm on the Sugar Nellie DT lol) but I am joining in with the Stamp Something June digi day challenge, A Spoon Full of Sugar flower power challenge and Cute Card Thursday Embellish it challenge too...my gorgeous Phil and I are off out for lunch today and maybe a little search round some junk shops, whatever your up to have a fantastic Saturday everyone
Mina xxx

you cant beat a bit of gingham - Sugar Nellie DT

Good morning everyone, did you all have a fantastic Easter break then?...ours was very quiet, family lunch Sunday then everyone left me in peace while I spent the whole day in my craft room, you will never guess how many cards I made and how many images I coloured, lets put it this way I have a permanent dent in my finger from my paint brush and my eyes are killing me and they look just as bad from the outside as they do from my side too...my poor Dad is finding it very frustrating with the Easter break because everything is closed so he cant get his dented car sorted...I think he needs a coffee infusion do you...today's card is for the Sugar Nellie DT and I used the fab sketch from The Sugar Bowl for it to...I hope Marlene doesn't mind that I tilted it to fit the image...this gorgeous little Simply Sassy girl is called Party Frills and I coloured her with distress inks and I think I may have overdosed on the gingham a bit as I even paper pieced her in it...poor lamb will have checks before her eyes lol...the gingham is from Craft creations and I added a white ribbon, a gorgeous Prima flower and some buttons to finish...I'm entering this for the CES challenge Spring colours/Image challenge and the Fussy and Fancy Friday Springtime challenge too as I think nothing says spring like a bright blue gingham and this image...right I'm off to put eye drops in and get my clag on (which to you non geordie's is make up lol) and go out for coffee with my Dad...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

Im off to buy a wig !!! - The Sugar Bowl challenge Marlene's Sketch+Allsorts Challenge all about the sentiment

Good morning everyone...just a quick post this morning as I will be back later with my Bunny Zoe's Crafts Candy winner...I did nothing I had planned yesterday but plans are meant to be broken so I don't mind things like that happening, oh I did manage to buy the CD I wanted though much to my poor husbands despair as I was singing at the top of my lungs to Cee Lo Green lol, we just chilled watched a bit of TV and I did a bit of hand stitching trying to make organza ribbon roses, they need just a tad more work I think before I use them on my cards, but they are defo a work in progress...right onto my card today and the reason I need a wig, I want this little beauties hair don't you, how amazing to have hair like that and I loved colouring her hair today...this is of course a Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy stamp called Windswept...I coloured her with distress inks and used these gorgeous pretty girly papers from Memory box Gossamer collection...I think I maybe got a bit carried away with the buttons though lol...I finished with a satin ribbon, velvet ribbon and bows, and a Prima flower, the sentiments are from a bargain ribbon I bought for 50p in a sale...this is for the Sugar Bowl challenge which this time is the fab sketch from Marlene and Allsorts challenge which is all about the sentiments...have a wonderful Sunday everyone I will speak to you later when I announce the candy winner
Mina xxx

No supermarket rage was committed - The Sugar Bowl challenge 51 Kiki's sketch + Stamp Something challenge anything goes

Good morning everyone, well I managed to get right around the supermarket without any rage committed on me or my Dad, phew, and I didn't even see the mad woman...I think we should start a club called CASR...Crafters against Supermarket Rage what do you think would you join, I wish I was rich I would pay someone to supermarket shop for me wouldn't you...thanks everyone who asked how the funeral went, it will sound really weird but it was nice, instead of mourning her death she had arranged to celebrate her life which was wonderful and the Humanist speaker just read personal experiences from people who loved her for the eulogy, its the first time I have heard giggling from grieving relatives...I told you she had a wicked sense of humour and to prove it the song for us leaving was 'Don't worry be Happy', I must admit I giggled through my tears and came out feeling full of wonderful memories instead of thinking of her death...I want mine to be like that and I want everyone dressed in pink, including the men lol...my card for today is for the new challenge at The Sugar Bowl and this little beauty is one of my prizes from the competition at Sugar Nellie, isn't she just stunning shes called Joy and is a rubber stamp, she is uncannily like my Daughter when she was small so she had to be used first of course, I didn't really have time to colour her as well I would have liked to though...I teamed her up with Basicgrey Capella papers, I love the muted shades in this paper pad don't you, so lush and they remind me of italy so much...I added some lush black satin ribbon and some buttons to finish...I'm also entering this into the Stamp Something Anything goes challenge too...what you up to today anything exciting, I don't think we are but I'm happy with that this weekend as I need a chilling weekend I think so I can catch up with stuff...have a good one whatever your doing
Mina xxx
p.s. don't forget this is the last day to enter my Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy

Happy fat little birds - The Sugar Bowl challenge 49 + City Crafter challenge week 34 + Pear Tree Designs challenge 29

Good morning everyone I went to bed last night to snow and sleet and woke this morning to sunshine and not a pick of snow for one horrible moment I thought I really had hibernated for a month or two...sneaky stuff this freaky weather isn't it...the fat balls are sorted I went to get the gubbins (technical term for all the ingredients) and saw a pack of 12 for a few pounds, bought them and the birds are as happy as a little fat red breasted bird can be...right onto my card for today which is for The Sugar Bowl, CCCB Let it snow challenge and Pear Tree Designs challenge Winter Wonderland too...I used this fabulously cozy Sugar Nellie Raven stamp, I want a coat and hat like this how warm would it be, I coloured her with my distress inks and paper pieced her hat and coat with some of these amazing Websters Pages Santa and Sweet papers I bought from Crafty Emma's, stunning aren't they, I love the colours in them, I finished my card with some black saddle stitched ribbon and punched snowflakes...what you up to today anything exciting I think we will put our Christmas Tree up when I say we I use that term loosely, what I really mean is Phil sits and watches and I decorate it, although I cant blame him as he used to help but I would just follow behind him and move everything to the 'right' place so he gave up but at least he gets all the stuff out of the attic...whatever your up to have a wonderfully festive day everyone
Mina xxx

Who loves his teddy this much - The Sugar Bowl challenge 48 Marlenes sketch

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend...our was very quiet but I did manage to go Christmas shopping guess how many presents I managed to get...go on guess....1, would you believe it a whole afternoon and one present...so I have a feeling I will be doing a headless chicken impersonation in a couple of weeks...right my card for today (sorry about the bad photos but my camera is throwing a wobbler)is for the Sugar Bowl challenge which is a fab sketch by Marlene with an added option of black, white and one other colour, I chose blue, this wonderfully beautiful stamp is called Worried, I think this is one of my all time favourites from Sugar Nellie, I love it and its always a pleasure to colour...the stunning papers are from Websters Pages, I cant tell you which set because I bought a few and they all got mixed up...oops...I finished with some lush black and white saddle stitched ribbon and a cherish metal charm...well I'm having a whole day crafting today as I have loads to catch up on, sheer luxury I'm going to colour to my hearts content...now if only I could put that much love and effort into Christmas shopping I would be sorted...have a fab day everyone

Mina xxx

No Fairy visits yet - The Sugar Bowl challenge 47-Maria Theresa's sketch

Good morning everyone are you all warm enough it is freezing cold here I just cant get warm, I was sitting last night with my polar fleece on, my pj's and my fluffy dressing gown and socks, a woman came to the door collecting for charity and as I opened the door she was hit with a wall of heat as my heating is pumped up to 25degrees and she says 'are you cold?'...well duh lol...the fairies still haven't brought my head back just yet I went to the shop with my Dad and then tried to get into the wrong car when I came out, my Dad was sitting in the car watching me cracked up laughing now don't you think he could have tooted or something, men huh...if you know any friendly fairies tell them enough is enough please before I end up driving away with someone strange lol...my card today is for the Sugar Bowl challenge which is a fab sketch by Maria Theresa which I tipped on its side for the image to fit properly, I used this fantastic stamp from the Simply Sassy range called Pillow talk isn't she a fantastic image for a teenagers card, I really want some of the new ones but will have to wait for my shocked purse to recover from the NEC first...the lush papers are from the Basicgrey Olivia paper pad and I finished by adding a zip pull tag and green ribbon and a yellow Prima flower...I hope you like it and stay warm everyone and if you live somewhere warm send me some please
Mina xxx

Girlfriends are forever - The Sugar Bowl challenge 46 Marlenes sketch

Good morning everyone oops I forgot to set my post last night, Phil was watching some rubbish film and I nodded off and went to bed later forgetting to do my post...did I get my shelves...nope...but I did use one of the Ikea wardrobes for my craft room with shelves fitted inside, oh I love my electric screwdriver lol...but I did manage to hit my thumb with the hammer the air was very blue I can tell you lol...anyway onto my card for today I'm so loving these new stamps from Sugar Nellie so of course a couple jumped into my basket, I love it when that happens don't you, its a fab sketch by Marlene this time and I know the extra option this week on The Sugar Bowl is for the boys but I had to ink this up, shes coloured with Distress inks and the stunning double sided paper is from Cosmo Cricket I think it was only half a sheet with the name missing, I love the stripes and snowflakes together especially in those colours...lush......I finished with some thick and thin pink satin ribbons, a sentiment which says Men come and go but girlfriends are forever and some snowflakes...I hope you like it, I'm off to fill my shelved wardrobe when its finished I will take some piccys of the reorganisation...have a fantastic Sunday everyone
Mina xxx

Happy Monday everyone - The Sugar Bowl-Lilian's sketch + ABC Design challenge-paper piecing

Happy Monday everyone...did you all have a fabulous weekend I hope so, mine was very very quiet, in fact I think I saw a few tumbleweed go past at one stage lol...well it wasn't that quiet I guess...I did watch the new Sherlock Holmes drama last night, brilliant, I love Sherlock Holmes and still read the books so it was just my cup of tea...my card today is for the Sugar Bowl challenge and I use this fabulous little Gorjuss girl stamp called A Little Birdie told me, paper pieced and coloured with Distress ink, I'm entering this for the paper piecing challenge over at ABC Designs challenge too...the papers are from the free paper pad from My Minds eye, aren't they fab...I cut out some flowers are a greeting from the back pages and added some yummy pink ribbon and a bow for her to sit on...I hope you like it and have a fantastic happy Monday everyone
Mina xxx

Hugs and Kisses - Card Drive for Michelle with a Spoon Full of Sugar

Good morning oops sorry afternoon everyone...my card today is for a very special person...you will have all heard about Michelle's of Stamp, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles horrible accident of course and how brave she is being (if you haven't the link is here) my heart goes out to the wonderful Michelle, she really is one of life's sweeties, along with her Husband she looks after loads of animals and raises Miniature donkeys...she always has something nice to say and is always cheerful and bright...I still cant believe how brave she is being, I don't think I could have that much courage...I have had the great pleasure of working with her on Just Magnolia since the beginning and she really is lovely and every time I think of what shes going through I feel weepy and have a huge lump in my throat

well after hearing about her accident the fabulous Debbie from A Spoon full of sugar challenge decided she needed to do something about it, so she has organised to host a 'Card drive for Michelle'...you need to hop on over to A Spoon full of sugar to read all about it, there is loads of sponsors and freebies etc and lots of Guest Designers, which I am so honoured to be one of...thank you so much Debbie for asking the Just Magnolia girls to join in it is such an honour to do something nice for Michelle

I know there's are some fabulous Donkey images about and even a a gorgeous freebie which you can find out all about at A Spoon full of sugar blog but when I think of Michelle I think of her as a country girl and that means gingham to me and when I remembered I had this fabulous wistful stamp from Sugar Nellie I knew it would be perfect for her, I used the sketch from The Sugar Bowl too, Im also entering this for the Simon says Challenge/Checks, Sir Stampalot/Hazy days of Summer, and Crafty Angels challenges/Square and circles...the papers are a mixture and I coloured the image with distress inks...the bow, flowers and tag are from my stash...I hope you like it and that Michelle does as it really is sent with loads of hugs and kisses...now hop on over to a Spoon full to see how you can join in...thanks everyone and enjoy the rest of your day
Mina xxx

Everyone say aaaahhhhhh bless him - The Sugar Bowl Challenge 37-Marlenes sketch + Creative Inspiration challenge 65-One for the boys

Good morning everyone...well I had the best of intentions last night to get all my past due commenting done and was enjoying a good surf of your fab blogs, then I nodded off and woke up way past 11 so only got around to a few...sorry I will try my best to stay awake tonight I have what my Mum used to called eyelid bottom syndrome...my eyelids are attached to my butt and as soon as I sit down they close lol...well did you all go aaaaahhhhh bless him, isn't he just gorgeous...hes by Sugar Nellie and is called Worried and when I saw him on Funky Kits I just had to buy him (of course he wasn't bought alone in my basket lol) hes so sweet and I thought he would be brilliant on a child's get well card but used him for a friend to friend card this time, hes coloured with Distress inks and I used him for the superb sketch by Marlene over at the Sugar Bowl...the fabulous papers are by Graphic45, I don't know which ones they are as they were just pieces but I know I bought them from Crafters & Co...I finished with a circle stamp from a set I got from Simon Says Stamp and a selection of buttons...I'm entering this for the Creative Inspirations One for the Boys challenge too...I hope you like it...have a fantastic Fathers Day to all the Dads and Grandads out there
Mina xxx
p.s. don't forget my candy finishes tonight at 12 midnight GMT...so if you haven't joined in yet the links at the top xxx

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 36 - Lilians sketch

Good morning everyone I'm not a happy bunny this morning, you know when you have an idea in your head and it doesn't turn out that way...well that's how this card turned out...I love this little Gorjuss girl and the acetate with the black velvet pattern is the most stunning thing to use and I love the ribbon and flowers....but....its just not how I imagined it lol...my card is for the challenge at The Sugar Bowl, did you know they have changed the rules so you can enter other challenges too...the acetate is from the Fancy Pants Roadshow kit I bought at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I hope you like it...enjoy the rest of your day everyone...I have a double post day tomorrow, my DT card for Colour Create and a blog hop for Mo's Dreamteam...so I hope you will drop by for them especially as Im pleased with what I made for them (for a change) lol
Mina xxx