aaaarrrrggghhhhh revenge of the dreaded red...

Good morning everyone did you have a fab weekend?...well the Christmas tree is finally finished and the one in the kitchen too and Phil even did some more baking today...I did a little bit of Christmas shopping but still haven't made a dent in it yet 'groan' but never mind its a start isn't it...the weather was terrible here yesterday and I stepped out the car umbrella in hand ready for it, opened the umbrella and it immediately flew inside out bending and snapping it, umbrella has just gone onto my Christmas wish list lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge, this month the theme is Wings but I have to apologise for the dreadful colouring on today's card...the dreaded red distress inks got its revenge for me saying I had cracked it yesterday...I got the whole of this gorgeous Whimsy stamp coloured and then got out the dreaded red...the paper was damp from the other colours so when I added red it just went wild lol...it didn't help that Phil said 'they are just a bit too red aren't they' about it, well yes just state the bleeding obvious why don't you lol... this gorgeous badly coloured stamp is called Whimsy Four Calling Birds and I used my distress inks for it...I paper pieced their cute little hats and added loads of Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust, the fabulous sentiment is another of the AmyR Stamps Christmas Verses II set of stamps and the lush papers are from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, I finished my card with a bow made from Organza Ribbon - Burgundy (25mm Wide), a rose from the Kaisercraft Paper Blooms - Honey (10pcs) pack and a few scattered flowers from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy set...the tag I used for the sentiment is from the same paper pad, everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I made the sketch up as I went along but am entering this for the Papertake Weekly Challenge, Card Makin Mamas Challenge and the Sweet Stampin' Challenge too...O need to have a bit of a catch up with my DT work today and start the wedding invitations for my lovely Niece too so busy busy busy...whatever your up to today I hope you have fun and I'm so sorry again for the sunburnt Robins lol

Mina xxx

 

distress ink colours used

robins - antique linen, frayed burlapm balck soot, fired earth

phones - peeled paint

tree bough - frayed burlap, peeled paint

shading - pumice stone

extreme paper piecing...

Good morning everyone how are you all?...well and enjoying your first weekend shopping fest of the festive season I hope...sorry I didn't post anything yesterday but life sorta sneaked into the crafting time, it has a way of doing that now and again doesn't it lol...it was the festive light switch on in our local town last evening and we had planned to go to it so we headed off nice ad early to have a bite to eat first and as we got out of the car the heavens opened ad I don't mean a shower but it starting raining so hard it was bouncing off the car park ground, so with that and the really high wings we decided standing in it watching the lights being switched on wouldn't be happening...so after our food we headed home to sit in front of a roaring fire instead...oooohhhhhh are we getting old or just sensible enough not to get drenched watching lights being switched on, I'm going with the latter one lol...right now onto my card for today...how adorable is this brand spanking new Whimsy Stamp...its called Whimsy Elf Frame...I coloured him with my usual distress inks and then went to the extreme with my paper piecing, I couldn't stop and even paper pieced the border, holly and bow...I stopped at his lovely little face thank goodness lol...isn't this stamp just the perfect kids image for a Christmas card...all the fabulous papers are from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad, the tag is from the same pad but the sentiment is from the stunning CC Designs AmyR Stamps Christmas Verses II, this is a fantastic stamp set at a fantastic price and perfect for all your Christmas tag or verses...I love it and you will see it on loads more of my cards, I finished with a bow made from Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy and a few scattered flowers from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy set...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Stampin' For The Weekend challenge too...poor Phil is having to work all day today there's a new computer system being installed at work so he will have square eyes when he finally gets home bless him so I'm heading out to hopefully get my Dad Christmas present so wish me luck I will need it lol...whatever your up to today whatever it is I hope its fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - antique linen

bells - antique linen

berries - fired earth

shading - pumice stone

nothing beats a christmas hug...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend, well we didn't get up to much yesterday just a quick visit to the supermarket for camera batteries is all...I'm keeping my head down for the foreseeable future lol...my hip is a little better today so I don't think I need xrays just a non klutz pair of feet and maybe a few more days rest...thank you all so so much for your sympathies and kind words yesterday they meant so so much to me, I think I was feeling a bit down and sorry for myself yesterday but chin up things have to be better now by the law of averages if nothing else lol...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge...the theme this month is Shabby Chic/Vintage ...I always struggle with these themes as I'm never quiet sure what shabby chic means but I think my card is more vintage anyway...how cute is this gorgeous little Christmas image?, its from Whimsy Stamps and is called Little Jack and Bobbin Christmas...I know hes a boy but I think he would work perfectly for a little girls card too...I coloured this cutie with my distress inks and teamed it up with these stunning papers, tags, paper piecing and edging from the Kaisercraft - Holly Bright 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...lush papers arent they, embossed and glossy too, they are so gorgeous, I added a strip of Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Burgundy and a bow made with Organza Ribbon - Burgundy (25mm Wide)...the gorgeous cute flowers are from the Blossoms - Resin Flower Pansy set and I finished with a snowflake charm from the Marianne D Winter Charms JU0871 pack and I stamped a sentiment from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Gingerbread stamp set...everything I used was from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Calendar challenge and Charisma Cardz challenge too...I think I will head out for coffee today and a catch up with my lovely Dad he always has a way of giving me a good shake lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant fun one
Mina xxx
oh and don't forget to enter the Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly candy while your here too the link is at the top of my sidebar

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap

hat - antique linen

berries and holly - barn door, shabby shutters

puppy - antique linen, frayed burlap

train set - antique linen, barn door

shading on paper piecing - pumice stone

shading around image - antoque linen

I feel a pink and blueish weekend coming on...

Good morning everyone have you anything amazing planned for this weekend then?, I think ours will be a mooching and chilling weekend we have nothing planned but then you never know do you...I had one of those days yesterday...you know the ones where you haven't a clue what your doing but you seem to be doing more of it than you should...I kept going into rooms and forgetting why I was there lol...oh btw the new printer is fabulous really crisp printing and its wi-fi so cordless...which I got quite excited about until I realised I would still have to go upstairs to put the card into it...pity that cant be done remotely isn't it...but I must admit I'm more than happy with it...its an Epson Expression XP-215 and it was on sale for £49...a bargain eh as its also a scanner and copier too...ooohhhh I do love a bargain don't you...right now onto my card for today...I love love love this beautiful Whimsy stamp don't you...she could be used for everything from a christening to Christmas card I think with just different colours...I love stamps like that...this is the beautiful Whimsy Wee Silver Fairy stamp, I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with one of my favourite pads atm...these papers are from the Kaisercraft - Bundle of Joy 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad...its lush isn't it and that shade of blue/green is perfect...I finished with a huge bow made from some Organza Ribbon - Dusky Pink (25mm Wide) and a button from the Prima Buttons - Welcome to Paris pack...doesn't it match the colours brilliantly...everything I used for my card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Papertake Weekly Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge and the A Creative Romance Challenge too...right I'm off to get the war paint on just in case...well you don't know what may spring up do you...Brad Pitt could stop by to take me out to lunch...or off to Italy with Johnny Depp...well a girl can dream cant she lol...whatever your up to today I hope its a lovely warm fun day for you and those you love

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

outfit - iced spruce, tattered rose

flowers - tattered rose

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

not just for boys...

Good morning everyone are you all having a fab week?...Phil was marshaling again at the North West 200 yesterday but not just in the morning but afternoon and evening too in fact he wasn't home until 9pm...I don't know how he does it, it rained most of the day, but he came home with a very pink face from sunburn????...ok where did he get the sun from he was only a few miles up the road from our house...I have a hospital appointment very early this morning for some tests and a scan uuurrrggghhhh I hate hospitals don't you...a few years ago I was very very ill and spent a long time in intensive care and since then hospitals make my palms sweat, my blood pressure shoots up and I feel so sick while I'm in there...I don't know if its the smells or just the memory but whatever it is I have a dread and fear of them so much...so wish me luck I will need it lol...right now onto my card for today...it just goes to show that blue isn't just for boys doesn't it...this fabulous little sweetie is one of the new Saturated Canary stamps...shes called Tilly and she stamps perfectly so crisp and just as good as a digi which surprised me a bit as you know how much I love my digis don't you, I coloured her with my usual distress inks...I used more of the lush Bazzill Basics 6x6" Multipack - Freedom papers that I used for Mondays card and finished with a fabulous bow made from some Organza Ribbon - Baby Blue (25mm Wide), gorgeous blue roses from the 15mm Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag and the fabulous sentiment is a stamp from the Whimsy Mini Background stamp set...this is a great set, I will use these loads...everything I used on my card today is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from the Sketch N Stash Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Natalie and Amy Challenge and the By The Cute and Girly Challenge too...right I'm off to get some war paint on and have a cuppa before I get my taxi to the hospital...my Dad and Phil wanted to take me but I think I'm better off by myself don't you lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and I hope there isn't anything stressful happening in it

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

eye - faded jeans

hair - pumice stone

outfit - fired earth, pumice stone, faded jeans

cool summer...

Good morning everyone hows your week going...yes your seeing right I have another card for you...this is becoming a habit lol...I think the mojo crisis is over thank goodness and its very slowly creeping back...and about bloody time too lol...well I went for a wee mooch in town yesterday but didn't get my lunch as my lovely Dad wanted some stuff there too so we went together and he had already eaten...one of the things I went for was foam pads for my cards...I couldn't find any anywhere is there a worldwide shortage of square foam pads I ask myself, I had to settle for circular ones but at least I can cut up the shocking wastage from the edges and in between...I couldn't even find any ribbons I really like either...whats going on when I cant find fabulously gorgeous ribbons...so I left town with a couple of sheets of foam pads and nothing else...now that's a shocking state of affairs isn't it...oh well I will just have to try harder I think...Phil's away again this weekend marshaling so I might manage to persuade my lovely Dad to pay a call to the craft shop...you know I just thought I'm the only one in our whole family that cant drive...its not because I don't want too, I would love to have a little Fiat (preferably a lilac one) of my own to pop into and head out on adventures but my eyesight in one eye is so bad I cant pass the sight test to see the number plates...gutted...oh well at least it gives my Dad an excuse to come with me, bet hes thrilled he will be able to go to the craft shop lol...right now onto my summery card for today...how cute is this little scene from Whimsy Stamps...its called Little Jack and Bobbin Seaside Dreamin', just a perfect summery image isn't it...I coloured it with my distress inks and used some beautiful fresh papers from the Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad, guess where the sentiment tag is from...go on have a guess...ok I will tell you, its the name from the from of the pad...waste nothing lol...I finished with a few buttons and a scattering of punched butterflies, everything except the buttons are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, oh and btw Nikki is having a sale of the papers and there's 15% off this pad...the sketch is an old one I found so haven't a clue where its from I'm afraid but I'm entering it for the Twisted Tuesday Challenge, Deep Ocean Challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge too...its supermarket day today but at least I get to have a put the worlds to rights coffee with my Dad which makes supermarket day worth having...whatever your up to today I hope if your shopping you find what your after

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

outfit - shabby shutters, victorian velvet, pumice stone

scarves - tumbled glass, barn door

boat - pumice stone, barn door

stones and sand - pumice stone, scattered straw, antique linen

sea and shading - stormy sky, tumbled glass

dog - frayed burlap, antique linen

the internet fairy said yes...

Good morning (again)...yes at long last the internet fairy said yes and up popped my photos into my post...I wonder why that happens, I'm sure there's a long technical reason for it but would I understand it I ask myself, so decided to go with the internet fairy theory lol...thank you all so much for the hugs and sympathy yesterday...our wonderful Daughter got there on time and in one piece, shes loving it, so hard and a lot of work but she has always thrived on hard work (takes after her Dad lol)...she rang me last night and was just going to eat at about 8.30pm and then was heading for bed to flake out bless her...see all that worrying and she is brilliant and thriving...the joys of parenthood lol...right now onto my card for today (at long last) I love this fab stamp from Whimsy Stamps dont you...hes perfect for any boys card or any sporty guy card too...hes called Whimsy Basketball and I coloured him a little darker to make him more ethnic looking this time, I'm not 100% sure I managed it though...I used my distress inks for colouring and more of these stunning summery papers from the new Carta Bella - Cool Summer 6x6 Paper Pad...fabulous pastel colours arent they...the sentiment is from the same pad too...the pad and stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a few buttons...the fab sketch is from the Here Comes the Boys Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Sentiments Challenge and the Through The Craftroom Door challenge too...I'm off to the Chiropodist with my lovely Dad today, yes its the one I had to rebook because I got the day wrong...well I have triple checked this time and the day and time are right so I wont have to hang my head in shame hopefully lol...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

outfit and boots - scattered straw, tumbled glass, pumice stone

ball - scattered straw, tea dye

shading - pumice stone

nothing says Easter like a chick...

 Good morning everyone...wow would you believe we have sun, mind no heat yet but wall to wall sunshine...I'm loving it...my lovely Dad is off on his travels, I will miss him of course but am chuffed to bits hes going he needs a break and some excitement in his life...we live in a gorgeous area but there isn't much to do around here especially in cold weather, I hope hes out and about everyday and has brilliant fun...can you believe its almost Easter...omg how fast is this year flying by...a perfect time for starting Easter cards and a mix of this fab stamp and the sun inspired mine for today which is using the gorgeously cute Whimsy Follow Me...aren't all those little chicks so sweet...I coloured it with my usual Distress Inks and teamed it with some of the gorgeous bright Echo Park - For the Record 2 Documented papers, the paper pad and the stamp are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with some flowers cut from another sheet of the same pad and buttons added to the centres and some glitter on his pretty wings...well they are wings so have to be glittery don't they lol...I cant for the life of me remember where the sketch is from but am entering this for the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge, Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge and the Love to Create Challenge too...Phil's off work this afternoon because he has a hospital appointment, just a routine thing nothing serious but it means we can have a rare mid week treat of heading out together so I'm off to get the old war paint on...whatever your up to today I hope the sun shines on you too
Mina xxx

Distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

top - crushed olive

jeans - mix of tumbled glass, stormy sky

grass - shabby shutters, crushed olive

chicks - scattered straw, antique linen, wild honey

a touch too much...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and fully recovered from the holidays, have you started creating yet, I think I'm just starting to get back into the swing of things...but my colouring is just a tad off...it doesn't help when you decide on a crafting session and the bulb goes in your craft room, could I heck find another one and it was so dark yesterday...hence the just a tad too much antique linen on this poor cuties face...she looks a little jaundiced I think poor little thing lol...but I'm off to the shops today so a pack of light bulbs will be my first priority so normal colours should be resumed as soon as possible...poor Phil came home early from work yesterday as he wasn't feeling too well...which is a bit worrying as he is normally as healthy as a horse and doesn't ever catch anything...from what he was telling me it sounded like a migraine he had but I'm hoping its nothing else as hes doesn't do sick and makes a real fuss on the rare occasions he isn't feeling good lol...hes off to work today so hopefully hes feeling better but he did sleep an awful lot last night and theres loads of man flu going around too...keep your fingers crossed for him...oh and me of course lol...right now onto my poor little jaundiced sweetie for today...she is the gorgeous Whimsy Amy from Whimsy Stamps...isn't she cute, I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with these lush coloured papers from the My Mind's Eye - Honey Cake 6x6 Pad...fab aren't they and perfect for her too...I finished with a stamped sentiment from the Morehead Acrylic Stamp Set - Blossom set, a few pearls and a stunning metal flower from Prima which I bought ages ago...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the fab sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Crafty Creations challenge and the Divas by Design challenge too...I'm off out with my lovey Dad today everything is back to normal so its supermarket day...whatever your up to today I hope its more exciting than mine lol

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen (too much lol), frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap, antique linen

flowers - victorian velvet, shabby shutters

outfit - spun sugar, victorian velvet, Iced spruce

balloon - spun sugar

oh no not yet please...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy, my Christmas card production seems to be in full swing now, I love making cards at this time of year, Christmas has limitless possibilities for cards and it gives my mojo a massive list...although I'm sure I'm ready for the weather this fab stamp has...well not just yet anyway...we had a fabulous lunch yesterday, everyone catching up and giggling and laughing, I was watching my Daughter and Dad chatting sitting in the sun on the decking...they are so alike they were chatting away and laughing and it made me smile just watching them...isn't it amazing 52 years between them and get on so well and still laugh at the same daft jokes as they did when she was a child...it was defo a warm glow kinda moment...where we lived before my Dad would visit but not visit if you know what I mean...well lets put it this way hes been to the new house more times and for longer in the past six weeks than he has in the last year at our other house...he says he feels warm and comfortable here and loves the house so much...he did have one small criticism though, he would love it even more if it had a downstairs toilet so he didn't have to climb the stairs bless him...right now card time...this fabulous stamp is a Whimsy Stamp called Heidi...I love her spotty bows don't you...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and used some of the lush brand new Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Joyeux Noel for her, I bought the stamp and pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the sentiment is on the paper already and I added some punched snowflakes to finish...the fab sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Challenges 4 Everyone challenge and the Stampalot Challenge too...I'm having a crafting morning this morning, Phil's off work today to cram for an exam he has tomorrow so I want to leave him in peace to study, hes been taking a part time course for his job so wish him luck for tomorrow, not that he needs my clever little man...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique ;inen, faryed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

all white shaded with pumice stone

all red is barn door

green - shabby shutters, peeled paint

he loves me...he loves me not...

Good morning everyone, I hope you had a brilliant week and have an even better weekend planned...omg how fast is this year flying by...it seemed ages ago I was only just starting to design my Nieces wedding invitations and now its only three weeks to the wedding...aaaaarrrrgggghhhh...do you think its age that means it makes everything speed up or is it the same for everybody...I remember when I was a child and someone said it was a few weeks to Christmas it seemed forever...amazing how things change isn't it...anyway my card for today is using this fantastically sweet and cute Whimsy Stamp, this one is Whimsy Honeybee, I love her leg warmers don't you...or maybe they are called leg warmers anymore...I teamed her up with these stunning papers from the new Glitz Hello Friend paper pad, the pad and stamp are both from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...would you believe I added nothing at all to this card except a rose I cut from the pad...I think the paper is so lush you really don't need it do you...anyway that's me for today whatever your up to today watch out for that time flying by lol
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
dress - spun sugar, stormy sky

I can almost smell the roses...

Good morning everyone are you doing anything exciting for the weekend?...we had a very very very long day yesterday, we went to Ikea super early and had breakfast there then oh boy did we shop, not only did we get all the new furniture (including some that wasn't on my list) we bought wine glasses, table mats (a bargain 50p each) and loads and loads of stuff we couldn't live without, you know what I mean don't you, the kinda stuff you didn't know you needed until you saw it...then a look around BHS and Next but we didn't buy anything there and then home to a message on the answer phone that we could get a loan of the new house keys if we would like to measure up for curtains etc, so a quick dash around, measuring, deciding where things would go...we finally sat down to eat about 9pm and then bed totally dead on our feet...so all in all a very busy day lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this stunning image from Whimsy Stamps shes called Li'l Montana I coloured her and her little furry friend with distress inks and teamed her up with these stunningly gorgeous rose papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Tea-Thyme, cant you almost smell those roses...I didn't add any embellishments at all except for some more of the roses cut from the same papers...any excuse for a bit of cutting out lol...everything I used for my card is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the sketch I made up as I went along and I'm entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, Crafty Catz Weekly challenge and the Dutch Dare Card Challenge...Phil's working this morning so I'm off to do a little bit of playing in my packed craft room...the boxes wont stop me though I will fight my way through lol...whatever your up to today I hope wherever you are the sun shines on you
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
jeans - pumice stone
top - spun sugar, shabby shutters
flower in hair - spun sugar, shabby shutters
basket - frayed burlap
flowers - scattered straw
puppy - antique linen

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

one for my wee darling...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and having a brilliant week, did you all enjoy the fabulous hop yesterday? oh and did you join in my lush candy too, if not the hop is below there's loads of time to join in for a chance to win and the candy link is at the top of the sidebar...I have had a super busy this week, I dont know why though its been one of those two steps forward one back kinda weeks, do you know what I mean?...oooohhhhhh btw our beautiful Daughters Sumo cat isn't very well, its developed a funny sideways kinda walk thing as if its back hips are hurting, we were wondering if it had been hit by something or someone, so I'm going to the vets with them today I don't our Daughter wants to go on her own, just in case...shes a huge fluffy sweetie but she is 14 year old and our Daughter is terrified something will happen to her that cant be put right...poor lamb I'm not sure shes taking the right person with her to the vets for strength I would probably go to pieces too...then after that its a visit to an estate agent (yet again) then we are heading off to our local craft shops (all being well) as she fancies having a go at making jewellery (our Daughter not the cat lol)...oooohhhh how I would love for her to get into something crafty that we could share...right enough waffle for today I think lol, my card for today is the one I made my darling Phil for his Birthday, I know shock horror there's no colouring on it but its Phil's taste and that's what counts isn't it...I used a sentiment stamp from the new Whimsy Definitions Notables 4 stamp set, this is a brilliant set with something for most occasions, I teamed it up with one of the amazing papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad - Olde Curiosity Shoppe pad, I love these Graphic45 pads so much I bought both of them, I couldn't resist lol...I finished with a black ribbon knot and a selection of the buttons I bought at Denelm Mill...the sentiment is using the Wooden Ornaments - Alphabet set coloured with a black waterproof pen, I love these wooden letters they add a real dimension to a card, the pad, stamp and letters are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm entering this for the Mema's Crafts challenge, Tuesday Alchemy challenge and the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge too, well what did you think of my non colouring card? did you like it or miss the colouring, be honest now I have a very thick skin lol...right I'm off to put my face on for heading to the vets, wish us luck please...whatever your up to today I hope its a peaceful relaxing one
Mina xxx

there were no distress inks hurt in the making of this card lol

the fastest needle in the west?...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a fantastic day yesterday and didnt get too wet...remember yesterday I was saying about my beautiful Daughters time saving fancy dress outfit...well...guess who rang me half and hour before she was leaving with the pleading 'Mum can you do something with my costume its not quite right' voice lol...she wanted the sides of the front ruched so her legs showed a little, so out came the needle and thread and all the layers were ruched and stitched in under 15 mins...see fastest needle in the west lol...dont you just love that our kids think we can do anything in no time at all, I was the same with my Mum I knew she could sort anything out...well we went out to lunch yesterday but by the time lunch was finished the heavens had opened again and the water was running down the streets, so instead of a mooch round town we went home for a dry afternoon watching old movies instead...did you do anything?...right now onto my card for today, now I know I rarely use a stamp more than once (I know its shocking isnt it slapped wrist to me) but I had to use this stunning Whimsy Stamp called Cinnamon Sugar again she is one of my all time favourite stamps...this time I did her with darker hair, Im not sure it worked but it was fun colouring her...I used distress inks and her outfit is paper pieced with papers from the same paper pad I used for the card...they are from the Cosmo Cricket 6" x 6" Mini Deck - Baby Jane I finished with a gorgeous satin ribbon and some of the amazingly cute and pretty Flat Back Rose Cabochons - Mixed Bag these are fab as they are perfectly formed tiny little roses in loads of colours...everything except the ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from the Willow Sketchie challenge and Im also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge and My Mum's Craft shop challenge too...I havent a clue what we are up to today but I think we might just head on a wee jaunt, you never know where we will end up...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen, frayed burlap
cupcake - scattered straw, fired earth
basket - frayed burlap, fired earth, scattered straw

oops I almost forgot...

Hi everyone me again and oops I almost forgot to show you this card for today...some of the DT at Bunny Zoe's Crafts were asked to be GDT's over at Party Time Tuesday's Anything Goes challenge and I made a card for it...this amazingly beautiful little sweetie is Whimsy Cinnamon Sugar, isn't she so beautiful, I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with these lush Cosmo Cricket 6" x 6" Mini Deck - Baby Jane, the colours in this pad are so gorgeous and perfect for summer...I finished my card with some fab red gingham ribbon and Wooden Ornaments - Alphabet for the sentiment...I coloured them with Red Barn distress inks to match the papers...I'm entering this into the Willow Sketchie challenge, Craft Your Days Away challenge and Creative Craft challenge...right that's me for today (I promise no more honestly lol), have a wonderful night and if you can pop on over to the Part Time Tuesday challenge (just click on the logo at the top of the page) to see what the rest of the team came up with

Mina xxx
p.s. Im having problems resizing my photos are any of you having the same problem tonight?

springs arrived with a little bit of blossom...

Good morning everyone, well I'm still not here but here if you know what I mean...don't you just love technology, I cant imagine life without my laptop now isn't that weird how much you get used to technology...right now because I'm not here I'm going to leave you a joke everyday instead...so here we go...
Becky prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her haste, however, she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce, and it sat on the counter all day. She was worried about spoilage, but it was too late to cook up another batch.
She called the local Poison Control Center and voiced her concern. They advised Becky to boil the sauce again.
That night, the phone rang during dinner, and one of the guests volunteered to answer it. Becky’s face dropped as the guest called out, “It’s the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out.”
lol good one isn't it...right now onto my card for today which is using this beautiful new stamp from Whimsy stamps, its by Elizabeth Bell and called Whimsy Apple Blossom, isn't she stunning, I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her dress with some of the spotty paper I used, these stunning papers are from K & Company Sweet Nectar 6" x 6" Paper Pad scrummy aren't they, such gorgeous bright colours, I cut one of the sheets out because I loved the shape and that's what made the card shape, I finished with some more of the Prima Flowers Perie Bebe - Meadowlark pack flowers and I finished with a rich coloured Satin ribbon 15mm RED from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, fabulous colour isn't it...the paper, stamp and flowers are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, the great sketch is from the Sketches by Carly challenge...I will be back tomorrow with another card and a joke too maybe...have a brilliant day everyone
Mina xxx

distress ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
leggings - spun sugar, tumbled glass
dress shading - punice stone
apples - shabby shutters, barn door
basket - frayed burlap

well who knew I could do that...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend?...I hope you did and that the weather stayed ok for you...we had a lovely Sunday, we went to the huge market and car boot sale in Antrim and it was a thick pea soup fog all the way until the last few miles then it lifted and although it was cold it wasn't too cold...I must admit there was a couple of the most shocking stalls I have ever seen in the market...one sold paramilitary type clothing including the ski masks with the eyes and mouth cut out complete with two small boys dressed in full gear including toy machine guns and the other was a Nazi stall, with full regalia, flags, bust of Hitler the lot...I was flabbergasted and so angry and thank goodness Phil was with me or I would have been a lot louder and if I had had a few more guts they would have got a tin of paint around the stalls...seriously why????? would they do that...but besides from those two shocking moments the rest was fine and I bought a few things nothing special, well unless you counts a bag of fresh dug spuds special and two new pillows lol...we stopped off for coffee then came home and made dinner for the whole family, Phil cooked his Italian dish with the lushest garlic potatoes and I made Tiramasu cupcakes, complete with coffee syrup and marscapone, Marsala and vanilla cream...now who knew I could make cupcakes...not me, I was quite impressed with myself lol....I will take a photo of the couple that's left to show just to prove I can cook when I want too...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and this month Tracy chose the theme is Celebrations anything celebration you want really so there's a lot of choice there, I chose Birthday and used this fantastic little Whimsy stamp called Sam's Special Delivery isn't he so so cute...I coloured him with distress inks and paper pieced his sling...the lush papers are from the Authentique 6x6 Paper Pad - Blissful this is such a beautiful coloured paper pad and on sale too, I finished with a printed banner which I cut out and strung with some Sew Easy Bakers Twine - Neutrals twine a gorgeous Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon - Brown bow and a few yellow buttons, everything except the buttons is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from Tuesday Morning sketches (I hope it still counts as I moved the sentiments so I could fit it in), I'm also entering this for the Papertake Weekly challenge and Allsorts challenge...phew thanks for sticking with me for this super long post, boy I can waffle cant I lol...I'm having a crafting day to do my projects for the Graphic45 call...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx
p.s. in case your wondering why the photos are small Im having a blurry image thingy again when I enlarge them...havent a clue why though

roll on the spring...

Good morning everyone, did you all have a fabulous weekend?...we did nothing yesterday at all, we were meant to go to town but I wasn't feeling too well and fell asleep at 2pm yesterday afternoon and didn't wake until 8pm would you believe...and I was still in the same spot I fell asleep in, woke with a really stiff neck though...ouch and I woke up after Phil had gone back to work so missed him leaving, I hate doing that...I think its the time of year you know as everyone seems to be the same, after all the hustle of Christmas things in January are very very quiet aren't they and I think we could all do with some fun and sun, so sign up below for a holiday away and we will all go somewhere warm for a crafting holiday oooohhhhh or how about a crafting cruise...anyone up for it lol...onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts challenge, this month our lovely Bettina chose the theme and its a inspirational photo challenge...my photo is once again rubbish because of the weather to get any photo at all I had to use the overhead light and that was in the morning too, roll on the sunshine of spring I say and it might give my mojo the boot up the bum it needs too...I chose to use this beautiful little Whimsy stamp called Valerie & Kitty Sitting Pretty, so cute isn't it and coloured it with distress inks...the lush papers and tag are from the Kaisercraft English Rose 6x6 paper pad this pad is so lush and the colours are beautifully muted too, I finished with some soft pink bias binding and some of the flowers from the same pad cut out and raised around the sentiment...I added some more of those lush Kaisercraft Resin flowers in Fuchsia as I cant resist them...I used the fab sketch from the Totally Gorjuss challenge and I'm also entering it for the Fussy & Fancy Friday challenge too...I'm going to have a rummage through my stash day to see if I can jump start my mojo...if your hiding it own up so I don't have to hunt for it lol...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx