hop hop hop with the Sugar Nellie Country Cousins...

Good morning everyone I hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend, today is my 3rd Blogaversary, wow how amazing is that, I can still remember the very first card I posted and how bad it was lol...I have been so lucky with followers and have made some fantastic friends and met some wonderful crafters along the way too...but without anymore waffling I wont hold you up on the hop any longer
I'm the first stop on the brand new Sugar Nellie Country Cousins release blog hop and you probably arrived here from the Sugar Nellie blog...oh boy are you in for a treat these are amazingly gorgeous girly stamps you will love them and the Sugar Nellie DT girls have some fabulous creations to show you...oh and don't forget to leave a comment on all our blogs to stand a chance of winning some sweet candy

I used the gorgeous Chillax for my card, I love the way you can use her for any occasion and she looks so relaxed and laid back, well chillaxed I guess lol, shes a dream to colour...I used distress inks to colour her and I used these gorgeous Scandinavian type papers, I'm sorry but I don't know what make they are as they have no writing on them all...now wouldn't you think they would want to take credit for these lush papers...I added loads of buttons, some fantastic huge gingham ribbon and a knot and a covered tag...the little sentiments are pieces of ribbon, I only have a small amount of this left and will be devastated when its all used up...the Country Cousins are available now at FunkyKits and I would love to know which are your favourites, I don't think I can choose betwenn them, love them all...your next stop on our hop is the amazingly talented and one of life's all round sweethearts
PAT
who has something stunning to show you...don't forget to leave comments so you have the chance of winning candy...have a wonderful weekend everyone and enjoy the rest of your hopping and good luck with the candies
Mina xxx
p.s. watch out later as I have some huge yummy candy of my own posting tonight but sssshhhhhh Im not telling you yet

Im entering this in the CLP Challenge (the sketch), Fairytale challenge and Simon Says Stamp challenge too

Distress Ink colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - gathered twigs (from the limited edition Fall release)
clothes - shadows are antique linen, Aged Mahogany, Peeled paint

giving stuff away...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well...we went to Dunelm Mill yesterday and I'm sure I missed an ad in the local press because they were obviously giving everything away, it was packed out, I did manage to squeeze through to the craft section (of course) and bought a couple of Fizzy Moon stamps I have wanted ohhhh and something for the mysterious candy lol...its quite hard struggling through a packed store with a disabled person, its fine when your alone and you can sidestep etc but my poor Dad cant really do that with ease so I'm kinda like the forward action, I'm sure people think I'm ignorant trying to clear the way gently for him lol...we only stayed a few minuets and were going to have lunch there but there was a queue for the cafe would you believe...would love a good mooch through when it isn't busy though, I might persuade Phil to go late night one night...oh I forgot to say I managed my Christmas list the other day so I have made a start anyway...Phil wants to know what I want for Christmas...isn't it weird Mums are great when it comes to gifts for other but ask them what they want and they haven't a clue...so any ideas greatly accepted please (and no cheeky comments about plastic surgery vouchers please lol)...my card for today is using the stunning Make a Wish digi stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil, I always find Mo's images the easiest to colour as they are so gorgeously drawn, I used distress inks to colour her and the lush papers are a digi paper set from Nitwit Collections called Crab Apple Too, aren't they so beautifully faded and aged, I finished with some deep pink lace, a green satin ribbon and bow and a selection of Prima flowers (love these teeny Prima roses)...the fab sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it for the Truly Scrumptious bingo challenge, I chose Lace, flowers and ribbons...I'm doing a bit of online Christmas shopping today and surfing to get some ideas for me, whatever your up to have a fantastic one and keep an eye open for shops giving everything for free
Mina xxx
p.s. theres a new release blog hop tomorrow at Sugar Nellie...there are some lush new stamps to show so will speak to you then

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - antique linen
clothes - pumice stone, victorian velvet, spun sugar, shabby shutters

urgent plastic surgery needed...

Good morning everyone, I hope your all well and enjoying the lovely soggy weather. unless your lucky enough to live somewhere warm then enjoy your sunny weather...aren't our children good to us Mums, my Daughters washing machine broke down so of course I got a text asking can I use your machine please Mum, course you can I replied...but I don't remember texting back that I would wash and dry the big bag of washing you bring down, fold it and make sure it's ready for you tomorrow lol...well I suppose that's what Mums are for aren't they, well I am anyway...I had to go to the supermarket for washing powder of course and my lovely Dad met someone he hadn't seen for years and was chatting away while I packed the bags, then strolling over the guy said, oh is this your wife, I was gobsmacked...I obviously need plastic surgery urgently so any phone numbers for surgeons or gift vouchers for the same guy would be gratefully accepted lol...oooohhhh and my Dad was the one who said indignantly 'shes my Daughter not my wife' lol...anyway onto my card for today, how stunningly beautiful is this Crafts and Me digi stamp she is called Autumn and is from the new November release, I used her for a Christmas card though as she works perfectly in this colour doesn't she...I coloured her with distress inks and her dress is coloured with one of the new Winter distress inks called Iced Spruce, beautifully soft isn't it, of course there is wings and its a wintry card so there had to be loads of glittery stuff didn't there...the papers I bought from a local shop at the weekend but didn't realise until I used them but there isn't any name or writing or anything on them so I haven't a clue who they are by but if I find out I will let you know...I finished with a huge organza bow and a couple of Anita's glitteration snowflakes...the fab sketch is from Stamp with Fun challenge and I'm also entering this for the Top Tip Tuesday challenge, Fab N Funky challenge and the Stamps & Fun challenge too...there's a new Dunelm Mill store opening today in town so we are off for a mooch I will report back if I find anything crafty I cant manage without...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap & Tattered rose
Hair - Black soot
dress - Iced Spruce, Stormy sky
shading - Pumice stone

blurred but here at long last - *UPDATED PHOTOS*

Good morning everyone...well finally I managed to get my photos uploaded...I think it was a problem with my internet rather than blogger though...dont you just hate it when the internet fairy is on strike. I had a brilliant day crafting away yesterday, one of those days when I just couldnt stop, I only stopped when my tum started talking to me and demanding to be filled...it was a horrible drizzly dark day yesterday just perfect for locking yourself away in the warm and doing a little of what you fancy, thats the reason for the terrible blurred photos, my poor camera dosent cope with low light at all, but it meant I didnt even get a teeny glimpse of the asteroid last night not that I thought I would be able to see it anyway but had my binoculars out and was even ready to run the risk of being accussed of being a peeping tom by my neighbours to catch a possible glimpse, but I couldnt even see the moon let alone an asteroid...right onto my card for today, how lush is this fabulous little Gorjuss girl, shes brand new and her and her bow are from the Dropped stamp set, I paper pieced her hat and dress and added the bow in a different paper, the lush papers are from the Basicgrey Eskimo Kisses paper pad, I love this pad it has the most fantastic patterns and colours and go perfectly with this little sweetie, the stamp set and paper pad is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a fabulous two tone ribbon...Im entering this for the Charisma Cardz Challenge and Basic Grey challenge and the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday (love their sketchs dont you?)...Im off out Christmas shopping with my wonderful Dad today, I have a list and am determined come hell or high water to get everything on it, my Dad will keep me on track...oooohhhh and I need to get a few crafting goodies to add to some special candy this weekend...ssssshhhhh Im not saying anything else...its a secret lol....whatever your up to today have a wonderful bright one
Mina xxx

an oops...

I cant get photos uploaded so will be back a little later to post todays card...well if my internet gets its act together I will
Mina xxx

a new hair colour...

Good morning everyone I think Winter is definitely here don't you, we have frosty mornings and cold nights now and the extra blanket has gone onto our bed, I love blankets, the soft fluffy ones don't you...or are you a duvet person...my wonderful Dad isn't doing too well atm he discovered a lump in his side and the Doctor has said he has a hernia, its quite painful and as he walks with crutches it gets worse as the day goes on, so he will need an operation, I feel sick at the thought, he is 78 and has COPD and how worried will we be when he has to go through an operation, the Doctor has said he will get it done soon too, I know he will be fine and of course it isn't affecting him at all hes taking it in his stride, well I suppose one of us has to remain calm and not run round like a headless chicken lol...right now onto my card for today...I have another Sugar Nellie Adorable to show you today...ooohhhh and I tried out my new inks and look at the beautiful Winifred's hair, its from the Autumn series and is called Gathered Twigs, isn't it a fantastic colour for hair, sort of a reddish brown...lush isn't it, I was impressed with the colours as I thought they wouldn't be different but they are...more results to come I promise...I teamed the amazing Winifred up with these lush papers from a Making Memories 8x8 Noel speciality paper pack I bought a long time ago and of course I had to add a bit, well ok a lot of glitter to her shoes and the edges of the cut out holly...I finished with some buttons as berries and a couple for decoration...the sentiment is from the same paper pack, the fab sketch is from Stampin' for the Weekend and Im also entering this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, Creative Inspirations challenge and Winter Wonderland challenge too...I'm having a crafting day today as I have some DT work to catch up and I need lots more playtime with my new inks (any excuse lol)...whatever your up to today wrap up warm and stay away from frosty spots
Mina xxx

the loss of a fellow crafter...

Hi everyone, if you haven't already seen, the wonderful Katie Renz lost her battle today...Katie was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer but she kept fighting and keeping her blog as a journal of her journey through this horrendous disease...my thoughts and sympathy are with her devoted Husband Kevin and her three beautiful boys at this devastating time...safe journey Katie
Mina xxx

more of the red stuff...

Good morning everyone...we didn't go out yesterday as it was freezing cold, frosty and my poor little Phil is not well bless him...although it wont be bless him if I catch it lol...instead we sat in muffled up, heating on full, eating comfort food (sticky toffee pudding and cream yum yum) while Phil's pile of tissues grew higher, I draw the line at throwing them away for him...yucky...oh I forgot to tell you what happened on Saturday while we were walking through town I kept getting a glimpse of something wispy and floaty and they kept catching the light but I ignored it because I thought my eyes were acting up, while we were having lunch I mentioned it to Phil and after lunch he said come here while I show you this...the wispy things were cobwebs and shop windows and walls were covered in teeny tiny little spiders or as Phil called them spiderlings (I think he made that up or hes an extra in Harry Potter lol) because the sun was so bright and warm all the teeny spiders from the trees had hatched and the weight of them brings the webs down so they can spread out, I kept getting bits in my face and hair too....uuuuurrrrgggghhhhh ...if I find out hes winding me up I'm going to slap him lol...anyway onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge and this month the challenge is our lovely Jane's choice to use buttons and bows, I used this stunning Kenny K image called Super Mom and yes I used the paper piecing card for the red again, I'm so glad I thought to do that although I did manage the red lippy...the lush papers are from Craft Creations and are an amazing 35p for 12x12 sheets, I bought these from the Kings Hall craft fair...I finished with some lush white seam binding, red satin 15mm ribbon and a few buttons from the brights button pack they are all from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, the sentiment I made up and printed from my computer...the lush sketch is from the Fetch A Sketch challenge and I'm also entering it into the Kenny K Krafty Girlz challenge and the Simon Says Stamp challenge too...I cant wait to see what you come up with this month as all your entries were amazing last month, when you have time don't forget to pop on over to the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge...well Im off out with my lovely Dad today for a little mooch, whatever your up to today watch out for the spiderlings lol
Mina xxx

oooohhhhh guess what I got...

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

they have arrived...

Good morning everyone well there's no more waiting the Adorables have arrived at the House of Sugar...I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday planned, let me know what your going to be up to today...why?...because I'm nosy is all lol, we are going Christmas shopping today, well we have to start sometime don't we so wish us luck we will need it Saturday afternoon Christmas shopping...are we mad...my card for today is another of the stunning new Adorables...this is the stunning Rebecca

isn't she just beautiful?...I coloured her with distress inks and use another of my favourite Graphic45 papers for her, this is from the The Magic of Oz collection and is called Yellow Brick Road, I love gingham and the blue is gorgeously faded isn't it...I finished with a gold gingham ribbon from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop and a stamped sentiment...wait until you see what the rest of the DT have come up with, wow they are stunning

I'm entering this for the Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge, Sweet Stampin Challenge and Dutch Dare Card challenge too...right I'm off to get ready to shop, I love Christmas but hate crowded shops I like to shop midweek when the shops are less busy but because Phil works away we have to do joint shopping when we can, so fingers crossed we make it out unscathed and without suffering any serious damage on other...have a wonderful Saturday everyone and watch out for the elbows and when you have time pop on over to the rest of the Sugar Nellie DT to see more Adorables
Mina xxx

GRAB A BARGAIN...

Hi everyone I have just popped on to let you know that the fabulous Nikki is offering 10% OFF all day tomorrow at Bunny Zoe's Crafts...hop on over and grab a Bonfire Night bargain
Mina xxx

a sneaky peek and its a double...

Good morning everyone its a biggie today, a double post and a little sneak peek of the Brand new Adorables from Sugar Nellie...wow isn't she just stunning, I love these Adorable's they really are adorable aren't they...this gorgeous little beauty is called Victoria, look at those eyes, what Mothers heart wouldn't melt looking at her, don't worry you don't have to wait too long as they are released on Funky Kits tomorrow and they are digis so instant spending gratification...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with this amazing double sided Graphic45 paper from the ABC Primer collection, this one is called School Days, the tags and the ruler are from the same sheet...I finished with some Prima flowers and a gorgeous tartan ribbon bow...hop on over to Sugar Nellie and see who else on our amazing team is giving you some sneeky peeks...your in for a huge treat

my next card is for our new challenge at Just Magnolia and hAnglar and sTanglar challenge, this week is our Anything Goes monthly challenge and the fabulous Anne has added the option of adding lace and pearls...I loved this challenge as it gave me a chance to use another of the gorgeous new Sweet Christmas Magnolia collection...this one is the Sweet Christmas Tilda, I think this stamp is so so cute don't you...I know what your thinking...she used the dreaded red again but I didn't...

I paper pieced her suit with the same amazing paper I used for the inside of my card...that and the paper from the front is from the Sweet Christmas 12x12 paper collection, aren't they just lush and of course with all those poinsettia's I had to cut some out didn't I, I added some pearl centres to them too...I love this Magnolia paper collection every single one is gorgeous, you can buy them separately but the pack is 10% off atm...these two papers are called Red Poinsettia and Stitched Christmas...the papers, stamp, lace and pearls are all from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished my card with a bow and some lace...the fabulous sketch is from the Dutch Magnolia Lovers Challenge and I'm also entering it for the Lollipop Crafts challenge and Charisma Cardz challenge...when you have time hop on over to Just Magnolia and see the rest of our wonderful teams creations...

phew thanks for sticking with my long post today...I'm off to my craft room today as I still have some of my new stash I bought to play with and I feel it calling to me...have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

a bit of wind and a real doll...

Good morning everyone, thanks for all the wincing and good wishes for yesterday, my knee is fine, thank goodness for super pointy scissors, see I knew I kept them that pointed for a reason, there is just a little hole and a teeny bruise is all, so shucks no scar to show...ohhhh and thanks Jane for the suggestion of wrapping myself up in cotton wool, but knowing me I would probably end up allergic to cotton wool lol...my Sister and family came down this afternoon, wow her kids just get more fantastic every time I see them and I love love love those Auntie hugs...don't get me wrong they aren't angels and the little girl, sorry I cant tell you her name as her Mum doesn't want me to too and its her choice after all, has the cheekiest little grin, she so reminds me of my gorgeous Daughter when she was small, cheeky but so adorable, you just wanna hug her to hear her giggle...right onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Colour Create challenge, this time i our fabulous Julies turn and she chose a stunner of a colour combo of Turquoise, Deep Pink and Ivory and we have an added option of adding glitter, like you have to ask me to add glitter lol...I love this stunning combo and knew which paper I would use as I found this sheet a few days ago, isn't it gorgeous, its from a huge paper pad I bought ages ago, I think it was from Bunny Zoe's Crafts and I will see if I can fish out the name for you...how amazingly beautiful is this Green Lady I bought from A Day for Daisies, of course a few more jumped into my basket too...I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced the Turquoise paper, the hair I did a little differently than normal as I wanted it to look artificial not like real hair, I think she looks like a beautiful doll...I wrapped around a cream satin ribbon and added a big bow, I finished with a little bit of glitter on her hair ornaments and some sparkly butterflies, a dragonfly...the fab sketch is from Inspirational Card Sketches challenge and I'm also entering this for the Try it on Tuesday challenge and Papertake Weekly challenge too...its supermarket day with my lovely Dad today, I hope the weather settles down a bit as it blew a hurricane last night, I thought the roof was coming off at 4am, had visions of running around collecting my bits from the lawn lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one and watch out for that wind
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
dress and hair ornaments - worn lipstick
hair - black soot

walking wounded...

Good morning everyone it was gloriously sunny here yesterday but so crisp and cold a perfect winters day...I had a brilliant crafting day, loved all the colouring I did but then of course a little mishap...I knelt down to cut my papers, I do it on the floor to get a bit of welly behind it and because my guillotine is quite large and takes up my desk space...when I knelt down I got a sharp pain in my knee and though, omg I'm getting old lol...I stood up to see what was up with my knee and dangling out of it was a pair of my teeny pergamano curved scissors....ouch...have you ever tried to get something out when its stuck firm, your muscles seem to clamp around it...but with a bit of swearing and a big sticking plaster I was sorted and at least I found my scissors lol...so I'm officially one of the crafting worlds walking wounded now, oh do we have to compare crafting scars do you think lol...my card for today is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge which is our wonderful Rose's turn to host, she chose Let the music move you...anything to do with music so put your thinking caps on and I cant wait to see what you come up with, I chose to use the beautiful Perched at Dawn by Sara Burrier, but I made the bird a Robin, well a sorta Robin as my red distress ink went a little astray when I added a little more water, it just spread and wouldn't stop, its sneaky stuff you know...I teamed it up with these amazing Bo Bunny papers from the Father Christmas 6x6 pad, another of my new stash I bought, its from Charmed Cards and Crafts...the sentiment is printed on the computer and I finished with some lush holly ribbon which I cut up and used with some berries I bought last year...I must see if I can buy some more of these...the lush sketch is from Mojo Monday and I'm also entering this for the Totally Papercrafts challenge and Papertake Weekly challenge....right I'm off out today as my Sister and family are down for a couple of day as the kids are on half term hols here, it will be wonderful to spend some time with them...whatever your up to have a good one and if you have time pop on over to Crafts and Me challenge to see what the rest of our wonderful team came up with
Mina xxx

colours used
skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose
hair - frayed burlap
bird - antique linen, frayed burlap, aged mahogany, wild honey, pumice stone
fairy clothes - antique linen, peeled paint

a friend called Freddie...

Good morning everyone...before I tell you about today's card I wanted to explain why I haven't been myself over the last few weeks...I have been a bit subdued and not myself because of something that happened in my crafting life, something very unpleasant and so upsetting it knocked me on my bum, I wont bother you all by explaining it to you but I just wanted to say with Phil's help and a very good friends advice I have picked myself up and am coming out fighting, I dusted myself off and I'm back on form, I will also be answering your emails as usual now too as I haven't been, so please keep sending them I'm happy to help any way I can as always...I'm sorted now and back with a vengeance lol...we had a nice day yesterday nothing exciting but it was lovely to spend a day you don't usually together, did that make sense at all?...but I knew what I meant lol...onto my card for today which is using another of the stunning Fairy Glen release from Sugar Nellie called Faye and Freddie...how cute is this little darling on her toadstool with her frog friend...I must admit I have loved using this new release, they are fab to colour...I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with this amazing Echo Park paper from the A Walk in the Park collection called Playful Stripes, the green is the reverse...I added some of the new lush flowers I bought from Charmed Cards and Crafts, the little glittery ones and the leaves are from the Petaloo Cream velvet hydrangea pack and the lush pink one is of course a Prima...gorgeous aren't they...I finished with a ceramic sentiment from my stash...the lush sketch is from Inspirational Card Sketches and I'm also entering it for the Sweet Stampin challenge too....ooooohhhhh did you see I won the fabulous Chris's candy yesterday, I was gobsmacked...wwwwoooohhhhoooo papers to play with...I'm having a crafting day today a bit of play time...whatever your up to today I have you have a brilliantly happy one
Mina xxx