a blue haired christmas...

Good morning everyone, I hope the weather is being kinder to you wherever you are, its shocking here, there's gale force winds, one of my fences is bending in it its so strong, snow, hail, rain and just about everything it can throw at us...my lovely Dad was breathless and shattered by the time he struggled from the car to where we went for lunch yesterday and we both couldn't see a thing as our glasses were soaking, no point in struggling with an umbrella, anyway I didn't want my lovely green polka dot umbrella doing an inside out trick on me lol, we had a good natter and spent the afternoon together, I hope it helped him to cope a little better but must admit I had a few tears yesterday, the worst being on the phone complaining about where my TV was and why it hadn't been delivered, the woman on the other end was so nice and apologetic and I for some inexplicable reason just burst into tears, the poor woman thought she had upset me although I'm sure when the call was finished she probably had a few words to her friends about the middle aged tearful nutter on the phone lol...I want to say a huge massive thank you for all your wonderful kind comments yesterday, they made me feel I wasn't as alone as I felt, I'm always in awe of how kind and thoughtful fellow crafters are...your a lovely lot of people and thank you so much...my card for today is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge, this week is the digi teams turn and our wonderful Mona chose the theme of Christmas, I wanted to use a non Christmas image for mine so I chose the stunning Moon Glow by Hannah Lynn coloured with distress inks, I coloured her hair slightly differently this time with grey and blue inspired by this lush glittered Christmas tree paper by Rayher, stunning isn't it...I used a white satin ribbon and finished with another of the amazing Lee's (craftyloops) amazing flowers, this one is a felt rose and the photos really don't do it justice, stunning...I'm entering this for the Stampin for the Weekend challenge, Dutch Dare Card challenge and Cute Card Thursday challenge too...Im waiting in for deliveries again today although Im secretly glad I dont have to brave the elements and feel the urge to do some colouring in the warm too...whatever your up to today stay safe and warm and have a good one
Mina xxx

I miss you...

Good morning everyone today is a very sad day for my family its the anniversary of my Mums death, her name was Mary and she was a wonderful woman with a wicked sense of humour and a real twinkle in her soft brown eyes, she not only taught the practical things in life, she taught me to cook and sew and the everyday things to get me through life but she taught me my values and manners and to always be helpful and kind, values I still hold today...I remember many days and nights wrapped up in her arms while she sang softly to us Sisters, she had a beautiful voice...she was the most wonderful woman I have known and still today I miss her, my first thought whenever I get good news or need to talk is that I wish I could ring her...I will give you an example of her wonderfully wicked sense of humour, me,my Aunt (who was only a year older than me) my middle Sister and my Mum sat and watched Psycho when it hadn't been on the TV before (now that shows my age), we all sat huddled on the sofa with a blanket, terrified and when it was finished my Mum jumped up and said who wants something to eat, of course everyone did and off she popped to the kitchen to make something, we were still sitting in the dark chatting about the film when she burst through the door, kitchen knife in hand screaming...we scattered to the corners of the room while my Mum almost wet herself laughing...now that's a wicked sense of humour lol...I feel so privileged to have had her in my life and am so pleased I was able to be with her at home when she passed away...my card today is for my Mum, I make one for her every year on her Birthday and at Christmas and this one is with love to tell her how much I miss her...the beautiful image is from A Day for Daisies and is called Angels resting, beautiful isn't it, I coloured it with distress inks and used papers from the Kaisercraft Velvet Ensemble 6x6 paper pad for it...the amazingly beautiful roses were in my gift from the fabulous Lee (Craftyloops), thank you so much Lee I love them...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday...would you believe I spent all day waiting for my TV delivery and it didnt arrive, this is despite it supposed to be delivered before the 1st December...I need to ring today yet again, I wont get ready for a fight just in case I get shot down in flames again, my lovely Sister and Dad spent the day with me though and we had takeaway for dinner instead of going out so at least we spent time together before she went back today...I'm spending today with my Dad he needs company and distractions and I will do my best to do that...whatever your up to today have a wonderful one and if your lucky enough to still have your Mum, ring her and tell her how much you love and appreciate her, she will so love it
Mina xxx

you've been snowballed...

Good morning everyone did you all have a fantastic weekend I hope so...my Sister is here on a visit from Newcastle, I love spending time with her as we never get enough time together and its so brilliant to see her, it always makes me feel sad when she leaves though...sods law we cant go out together today as our new TV is being delivered, I rang the delivery people up so I could get a time for delivery so I could at least plan to go out at some time during the day and the girl on the other end said 'Oh of course I can give you a time...between 7am and 7pm' well duh, that narrows it down a lot lol...I cant wait to see our new TV, its 37 inch full HD all bells and whistles one so I am expecting huge improvements on sound and vision or I will want to know why indeed lol
my card for today is for our new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge and this month the theme has been chosen by our lovely Dorcas and is fancy fold or shaped cards, I chose to make a fancy fold card, I think this is called a step card but don't quote me on that...I used the amazing Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas 6x6 paper pad again, I must admit I'm addicted to the colours of this lush paper pad, I used the oh so cute CC Designs Laugh Lines Snowball stamp coloured with distress inks and the snowball splats and sentiment are from the CC Designs Laugh Lines Splat sayings stamp set, I glittered and cut out the splats and put the sentiment behind this green framed made from packaging from an alphabet set I bought a while back...the lush ribbon is Green Gingham Wired Edge Gold Thread Ribbon, this is so easy to make into a gorgeous large bow as it holds it shape easily...everything except the frame is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts, I'm entering this for the Winter Wonderland challenge, Crafty Creations challenge and Crafty Catz weekly challenge too...I am so way behind in all my DT work and commenting, see that's what happens when you go away for a few days without your laptop, so maybe a day in waiting for the delivery guys is a good idea...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and when you have time hop on over to Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge to check out the rest of our wonderful DT's lush makes
Mina xxx
p.s. do my photos look blurred to you?, they look kinda fuzzy to me but then maybe it could be my eyes lol

Im back at last with a card...

Yooohhooo everyone I'm here with a card at long last...although it was a bit dark when I photographed it so its a bit murky...this little beauty is of course from Saturated Canary and is called Christmas Nutcracker and is coloured with distress inks, I teamed her up with more of these stunning Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas 6x6 paper pad papers, I cut some of those cute baubles from the paper to use too, I don't know if you have noticed but I love doing that lol...I added a huge ribbon and bow and the white lines are cut from the side of a sheet of white letter peeloffs (we crafters waste nothing do we lol)...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Stampin for the Weekend challenge too...right I will leave you in peace to enjoy the rest of your Sunday and will speak to you all tomorrow
Mina xxx

glamorous footwear...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and are having a fantastic weekend...well have you got everything sorted for Christmas then?, I bet your all super organised and even have some of your food shopping done...I have a few photos to show you this morning and I will be back later with a card too...I was having a really good practice with my camera and this amazing house is miles away from the farmhouse but with the help of the 28x zoom I got this fantastic close up shot...wouldn't you just love a look into that house and a rummage though the outbuildings

we had a little bit of snow while I was there but it didn't lie for long but it was freezing...because the house is stone built it retains the heat so is like a mini oven when it heats up but when its cold my goodness its freezing...this is the view over one of the garden walls towards the village

this photo is of one of the lanes leading up to the house, now that's what you call a puddle isn't it and it is as deep as it looks...the shadow is me but my hips aren't that bit honestly lol...I had a basket for holly with me...I swear its true

now wow how glamorous is my new footwear, but my jeans were so thick I couldn't get them tucked in so I had a bit of a balloon effect going on with them, mind when I went down the lane I was glad I had these on as I slid into puddles twice

this is some of the holly I cut, there is a huge amount of it, but not one single berry, there are a lot of birds about though so maybe that's the reason, because the walls are solid stone I didn't get one of the pictures up I took with me to hang, every single nail, picture hook and even screws buckled before they were even a teeny bit in, I think I will have to resort to sticky stuff and hope they stay up...so I gave up and when I was stepping down from the chair I misjudged and whacked my hip and upper thigh on the back of the chair, good thing we are detached because they would have heard me swearing but it bloody hurt lol, but I did manage to clean some carpets and rearrange some of the curtains Phil hung (he did a brilliant job but they needed a fluff if you know what I mean)...right I will speak to you all later when I pop back with my card....ohhhh by the way did you see I have candy below, don't be put off by the photo the papers really are lush and I will try and get more photos of all of them so you can see them...bye for now
Mina xxx

Im back and have a little bit of sweet stuff...

Good morning everyone, we got back very late last night we couldn't resist the twinkle of all those Christmas lights so stopped loads of times on the way down so I didn't have time to create anything so no card today but I do have a bit of sweet stuff for you...now do any of you fancy a stack of paper...I have about 50ish (I'm not too sure of the real number but its around that, the photo is just a few of them) 6x6 sheets of paper for you to play with, I had a little rummage in my papers before I went away and I have loads of loose sheets of 6x6 papers and thought I would share some with you...right now what do you need to do
just the usual things
add your name to Mr Linky AND leave me a comment
put the photo and link on your blog (sidebar is fine)
and that's it really
its open worldwide and to anyone
you don't need to be a follower but of course I would love you to and as I have candy all the time you don't want to miss any...I only want genuine followers though and no blogs that just have candy posted on them thanks this sweet stuff is for crafters to use
the candy will run until the 17th December and I will announce the winner that weekend
I have loads of photos to show you but it will have to be tomorrow I think as I'm off to get my poor Dad shopping today and we have to get our tree up before everyone things we are scrooges so I will speak to you all then...I hope your warmer wherever you are as its freezing cold here, have a fantastic day
Mina xxx

a vintage Christmas...

Good morning everyone wow isn't this year just flying past, I can still hardly believe its December let alone almost 2012...when we were young 2012 sounded like science fiction, omg how old does that make me sound, I'm not that old honestly...even when I was small I was a sci fi freak and still love it now, would you believe I love love love those little comic books, not the comics but the mini novel ones and my most favourite are the X Men...I still read them even now but our local book shops don't stock them anymore...I really must see if I can find some on the net, I have found some on Ebay but they seem to be collectors items, I need them to be able to be read not kept in plastic, did you see the superman comic that made over 2million dollars last week in auction...oooohhhh now how fantastic would it be to find one of those lol...I seem to be on a ramble...right focus Mina...my card for today is using this fantastic image from Mo's Digital Pencil called Pammy's Stocking...I love this vintage feeling beauty, I coloured her with distress inks but kept her quite monochromatic except for a little bit of orange red, this stunning paper is of course from Graphic45, no one does this style like they do, its from their Christmas Emporium Collection and is called All I want for Christmas...I used both sides and finished with some gorgeous rich coloured satin ribbon, some pearls and a poinsettia in a faded caramel colour...I'm entering this for the Cupcake Craftroom challenge and the Through the Craftroom Door challenge too...we will be travelling back tomorrow and I have a little bit of sweetness posted for tomorrow too for you so check back in the morning...have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

a letter for me...

Good morning everyone, me again, the one that's here but isn't...don't you just love technology...the internet has to be THE invention of the 20th century doesn't it, it has opened the whole world up and I still think its amazing that I can post on here and it can be read and commented on by people all over the world...godsmacking isn't it, I like the colours of the papers I used for today's card they are so unusual for Christmas but work so so well don't you think, the papers are from the Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas 6x6 paper pad...the cute stamp is from the Whimsy Stamps wee stamp range and is called A Letter for Me, I love her pj's and hat, although I think I would probably strangle myself in bed wearing a hat like that lol...I coloured her with distress inks, I still keep forgetting to post the colours I use but will try my best when I get back

I had to show you a close up of these stunning Blossom Resin Flowers from Kaisercraft, they are beautiful and so delicate looking but they aren't if you know what I mean and even have sticky stuff on the back too...love them, this is the Fuchsia pack...the papers, stamp and flowers are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I'm entering this for the Sketch File challenge and the Bling it On challenge too...whatever your up to today I hope you have a fun one
Mina xxx

a little rant...

Good morning everyone I hope your all keeping well...I'm going to have a little rant today, well I'm about due one lol...I'm not a gamer and I don't own an Xbox or 360 or anything like that, I have only played one racing game once and I fell over twice when going round corners on the racetrack, I'm not built for games too top heavy lol...anyway back to the point, have you seen the advertisements for all those horrendously expensive games for Christmas, is it just me but does it seem right to you that the ads aren't actually the game footage, how on earth do they get away with that, its like showing a Mercedes on an ad for a Mini after all their both cars...how on earth do they get away with it just because they have in tiny print 'not actual game footage' would any other product get away with that...ok rant over lol...I'm still at the farmhouse so I'm sorry but no commenting or blog hopping this week but I will catch up with everyone this weekend I promise...my card for today is using this beautiful image from Crafts and Me called Angel Rays...she has a real ethereal look about her (oh my way a big word for this time of day lol)...I coloured her with distress inks and added loads of glitter...the fun fab paper is from Basicgrey's Jovial collection called Button Nose, I love those little snowmen don't you...the beautiful ribbon is from The Pretty Little Ribbon shop and is called Sheer Ruffle Edge Antique Gold, gorgeous rich colour isn't it...I'm entering this for the Totally Papercrafts challenge and Cardmadfairy digi challenge too...enjoy the rest of your day and have a good one
Mina xxx

its all about the eyes...

Good morning everyone are you all well and ready for Christmas?...isn't it weird that we all get so organised but still end up running around like headless chickens on the last few days...I always think the supermarkets are crazy at Christmas, a few years ago my Daughters other half came shopping with me to help me carry and he was so so shocked at the crowds and craziness in Salisbury's, I remember him asking me how long they were closed for an wouldn't believe it was just a day lol...my card for today is using this amazing digi stamp from Sugar Nellie, this is one of my favourite Adorables, its those beautiful eyes I think, his name is Nathan, I coloured him with distress inks and teamed him up with this lush Basicgrey paper from the Eskimo Kisses collection, this one is called Woodland...love these bright christmas colours...I took this photo in full sunlight (yes we do get some now and again lol) and I think it may have turned out a little bit too bright...I added some fab twill ribbon and two message cut another sheet of paper and just a few buttons...the fab sketch is from Inspirational Card Sketches and I'm also entering it for the CES challenge and the Fairytale Challenge I haven't a clue what I'm doing today, I'm probably colouring or walking down the lane collecting holly, does mistletoe grow wild in hedges?...hhhmmmm I must have a look...whatever you up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

I so want this under my tree...

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a brilliant weekend, Im probably up to my eyeballs in cleaning carpets atm, or maybe not I might still be in bed depending on the time...I bought a few wreath bases a while back and thought I must take them down with me to make wreaths and can I find them...nope...I know exactly when I will find them though, two weeks after Christmas, I need to carry things round me or I havent a hope of finding them again lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge, this month its our lovely Sasha's choice of theme and she chose Christmas with a Bow, so anything you want as long as its Christmas with a bow on it somewhere...I used another of thee stunning little Pachela Studios images from Cuddly Buddly, this one is called Toby Tumble Christmas Surprise, how much would I love this stocking under my tree, what a stunning image isnt it, I coloured it with dostress inks and added just abit of sparkle, the lush paper is from Echo Parks Everybody Loves Christmas collection and is called Paper Snowmen, how lush are those colours together, I even used the name from the info strip for my sentiment...I added some fantastically lush Rose Pink Gingham ribbon and a bow from the same ribbon, three pins from the Diamonte 5cm decorative pins pack, the ribbon and pins are from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop
...the lush sketch is from Papertake Weekly challenge Im also entering it for the Joanna Sheen challenge too...right thats me for today sorry Im not commenting but I will catch up with you all when I get back...whatever your up to today have a wonderful one
Mina xxx

the quickest card I have ever made...

Good morning everyone I hope your all managing to stay warm, it was so cold here last night I thought it might snow, it was one of those nights when you just cant get warm, even the heating on, a hot water bottle and blanket didn't help...although Phil seemed to be ok, must just be the ice water in my veins lol...well we had pj success yesterday, I went to La Sensa and managed to get our Daughter two pairs of their lush pj's for the price of one and the lovely girl gift wrapped them for me into a box I would love to get too, I love girly touches like that don't you...my card for today took me exactly 4 1/2 minuets to make, how amazing is that, my Dad needed a card fast and I had a sheet of the Bo Bunny Father Christmas stickers and I have the 6x6 pad too so just stuck one of the stickers onto one of the papers and cut out, how quick is that then it was just a matter of layering up and adding some lush ribbon, a bow and a few buttons, I added a few holly leaves cut from ribbon too...I cant remember the last time I made a card that didn't have a coloured image on it, my Daughter wants a set of cards like this so I think I will just use the rest of the stickers to make them for her, could have them all done in an hour if I try hard...the fabulous sketch is from the Cards and Things challenge which is one I found through Feline Playful, that blog is a touch of genius isn't it...I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and Craft your Days away challenge too...btw in case your wondering how I enter the challenges while I'm away I have a lovely friend who links them up for me...right I'm off to pack my distress inks and brushes as I'm going to catch up on some colouring while I'm away and there's a couple of new techniques I want to try too...whatever your up to today have a fantastic warm one
Mina xxx

extra, extra...

Good morning everyone have you all got something exciting happening this weekend to make me jealous?, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend planned...btw have you got your tree up yet?, I was going to put ours up tomorrow but we decided we would leave a bit earlier so it will have to wait until next weekend I think...could you let me know if you put a photo of your tree on your blog, I love looking at peoples Christmas trees dont you and I would love a look at them...In still trying to twist my Dads arm (very very gently) to come with us but I feel so much better today, no iffy tum at long last, I am starving hungry though as I wasn't eating well, you don't when your iffy do you...oh well I will just have to get Phil to do some yummy cooking for me, well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it lol...my card for today is using this gorgeous little fella from Mo's Digital Pencil, I love him he is so cute isn't he, he reminds me of the 1920's kinda era...this little sweetie is called Extra and I coloured him with distress inks and used more of the stunning papers from the Prima Printery 6x6 paper pad for him, they suit him don't you think...the teeny clock and the tag is cut from the same pad and I added a grey satin ribbon to finish...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Fab 'n' Funky challenge and the Do You Stack Up challenge...I'm off out to buy my Daughters Christmas PJ's today, every year she gets a some PJ's and slippers for under the tree on Christmas Eve, its a tradition my Mum started when I was small and I have always done it for my Daughter (and now her partner too although he doesn't get the girly ones or the slippers lol)...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

no clean up on aisle 4...

Good morning everyone are you all well and happy?...you will pleased to know I didn't show myself up in the supermarket and there was no need for clean up on aisle 4 lol...my poor Dad is devastated...why?...because his car is fixed and he has to give back the loaner he loved, bless him, I feel a change of car coming on...I'm still feeling a bit iffy and my temperature is still up and down I even went to bed at 10.30 last night which is unknown for me as I have always been a night owl and do all my surfing then...from what I have heard though its going round but doesn't last long...well I hope not as I'm supposed to be going down to the farmhouse on Sunday for 5 days, I have put off the work that needs done too long and I want to get a real tree for Phil to add a bit of festive spirit to it and it surrounded by holly bushes so I thought I might make a couple of sprays and wreaths, I will take photos and some of the countryside now I have my new camera, I'm looking forward to a play with it, I have been trying to persuade my Dad to come down too but he hates long journeys in the car and as its a 2-3 hour drive it is long for him...right now onto my card for today which is for the new challenge at Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar challenge, this time its our wonderful Donalda's turn to host and she chose Lots of Sparkle, I know its hard to see but there really is lots of sparkle on my card even her little bows and socks have sparkle on them...I used this stunning Holly Tilda from the new Sweet Christmas Magnolia release, I love this Tilda shes so sweet and she is 10% off atm too...I coloured her with distress inks except for her white hair which was shaded with a Grey watercolour pen from Marvy and I teamed her up with these Sweet Christmas Magnolia papers these are the Red and Green 6x6 Flurry papers which are also on offer, I finished with some fabulous sheer wired ribbon and this stunning Blossom resin flower from Kaisercraft, these sets are so beautiful and there's roses in the pack too...everything I used is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...the lush sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I'm also entering it for the Saturday Challenge too...I really need to catch up with some DT work and stuff to post while I'm away next week today so need a craft room day I think...whatever your up to have a fantastic one
Mina xxx

Me to you...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well, wow can you believe its the 1st December already where is the time flying too ...right hands up who thinks I got all my DT work done yesterday...nope but I have a good reason...I hope you all have a hankie ready to sympathise...I'm not well (aaawwwwww bless), I have an iffy tum, cramps, sickness, headache and a temperature, don't know whats up with me but just a bit iffy so see I do have a good excuse...ok you can all dry your eyes now lol...I spent all day yesterday lying around feeling sorry for myself so I don't think I need anymore sympathy do you...right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge over at Colour Create challenge, this week is the lovely Sylvia's choice of colours and she chose Red, White and Green, I love these traditional colours for Christmas don't you and seem to have made a lot with them this year, so great choice Sylvia...I am in love have you seen this stunning digi stamp, how beautiful is it, its from Pachela Studios and is available at Cuddly Buddly, its called Christmas Me to You, I love it to bits and of course a couple more popped into my basket at the same time...oopsie lol...I coloured it with distress inks and distressed the edges of the image and papers with Antique linen too...the fabulously gorgeous gingham is from Craft Creations and I finished with some lush rich green ribbon and a few, well a lot of buttons actually...now I know its rare and don't all faint at once but I'm quite happy with my colouring on this...the fab sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Ribbon Reel challenge and Simon Says Stamp challenge too...I'm supposed to go to the Supermarket with my Dad today so fingers crossed I don't throw up mid aisle lol, now that would be a talking point wouldn't it...have a fantastic day everyone and if you have time pop on over to Colour Create to check out the creations of the rest of our wonderful team
Mina xxx