shock horror...

Good morning everyone...bbbbrrrrr its cold here I hope where you are your staying warm...ok now don't all faint at once but theres no colouring on my card today...I know shock horror lol...we went out for a little mooch yesterday and then shopping around the supermarket...but when we went to the checkout some daft woman had a hugely packed trolley had unpacked a few things onto the belt then decided to head off and do more shopping blocking everyone from checking out there too...some people are just so thoughtless arent they...well I wasn't going to put up with that and after about a minuet waiting for her to finish I repacked her trolley and moved it out of the way...she wasn't best pleased when she finally arrived back with her arms full of shopping but by then we were almost finished so shows how long she was...we decided over our 'put the world to rights' coffee session that people seem to lack empathy these days and don't give a thought for others...I would like to think I'm not like that, we were brought up to care about others and always to put ourselves in their place and think how we would we feel...you know what I should have done, hid her trolley but I wouldn't be that wicked would I lol...right now onto my card for today, I needed a quick card today and didn't want a coloured image on it so used these three fabulous bauble stamps from the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove collection stamp set...they are gorgeous aren't they...I teamed them up with some lush papers from the My Mind's Eye The sweetest thing/Bluebell papers I love this paper pad the colours are lush and even work for Christmas...I finished with a couple of ribbons, a few pearls and a sentiment from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Twig & Berry Postmarks everything except the ribbon and pearls are from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but I think a few of them are out of stock atm...the fab sketch is from the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge and I'm also entering it for the Simon Says Stamp challenge and the Fab 'n' Funky Challenge too...we are heading out tonight its our Towns Christmas light switch on, its not a huge thing but its sort of the start of our Christmas together celebration and we will be putting our tree up tomorrow...ooooohhhhhhh so excited for Christmas, I feel like a kid again lol...whatever your up to today watch out for those ignorant shoppers lol
Mina xxx

snow joke...

Good morning everyone...sorry for the pun I couldn't resist using it for my card today and had to use it in the title too lol...you know the days when you go in your craft room and the bug gets you, I had one of those yesterday and made 5 cards and coloured 8 images, hows that for a roll...poor Phil spent most of his evening in the rain with a friend looking at our Daughters car which for lack of a better word conked out, no idea why at the time it just stopped dead...luckily Phil's friend is a mechanic and had some computer equipment in his car that he could wire up to the car to tell what was wrong...so its a faulty battery which isn't tragic but bad enough for a young couple struggling with Christmas coming up so we offered to buy her a new one but little miss independence wants to sort it out herself...but she knows we are here if she needs us I guess...sometimes we just have to let our kids get on with things don't we no matter how hard it is not to butt your nose in lol...right now onto my card for today, how cute and funny is this poor little snowman, he reminds of accident prone me (btw I fell out the door the other day oops lol)...hes from Teddy Bo's Fairy Doodler and is called Pencil sketch Melted Man...I love the Pencil sketch images Gayle does don't you...they have so much character and are really lifelike...I coloured this cutie with distress inks and glittered the edges so he would just catch the light and look frosty...the amazing papers I teamed him up with are from Cosmo Crickets Dear Mr Claus range and is called Santa's letters...I love the lettered side don't you...I cut some out to make the sentiment and finished with a strip of lush lace from Kars...the fab sketch is from the Crafty Creations challenge and I'm also entering it for the Teddy Bo Challenge and Whimsy Stamps challenge too...Its supermarket day with my lovely Dad today and time to do a bit more Christmas shopping I think...I have a huge list to get through...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one and wherever you are I hope its warmer than it is here

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

snowman shading - pumice stone, pine needles

bucket - barn door, pumice stone

its amazing whats on your doorstep...

 

Good morning everyone are you all having a good week?...I forgot to show what we found at the weekend...this stunning place is literally around the corner from us how amazing is that...Phil shot these stunning photos...I think we have a budding photographer in the family don't you?

there's a University very close by us and this is part of the grounds attached to it...we also found some fabulously huge holly trees with loads of berries and birds...its stunning

we went out for coffee yesterday and a little bit of shopping but I still haven't a clue what to get Phil, I would get him a new camera but I bought him one last year and he uses mine for photos he really wants to take...I'm beginning to panic now, I know exactly what I'm getting everyone except my Dad and Phil ...aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhh help....right now onto my card for today which is for our new challenge at Crafts and Me challenge...this time is our lovely Sara's choice and she chose Ribbon or Trim...so now I don't need told twice to use ribbon do I lol...I haven't made an easel card for ages so decided I would use this stunning Sara Burrier digi called Perched at Dawn from Crafts & Me.and make one...isn't it stunning, I coloured it with distress inks and turned the bird into a Robin, I'm not sure I got the colouring right as I was trying to copy the robins on the bird table outside but they are ssssoooooo fast lol

I glittered her wings and teamed her up with these amazing papers from the Glitz Joyeaux Noel paper pad...I love the subtle shades and patterns in this pad...I bought it from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but its out of stock atm...I finished with some lush holly twill ribbon from Kars and a couple of pearls...the lush sketch is from Chocolate, Coffee & Cards challenge and I'm also entering it for the City Crafter challenge, A & T Emerald Faeries challenge and the Party Time Tuesday challenge too...I'm having a craft day today as theres loads of stuff I need to catch up on and any excuse not to think about Christmas presents for a while lol...whatever your up to today have a fantastic one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

outfit - barn door, peeled paint antique linen

rob - barn door, frayed burlap, pumice stone

branch - frayed burlap

isnt technology brilliant...

Good morning everyone...I hope your all well and having a brilliant week...isn't technology brilliant, well it is when you remember to press the publish button instead of the save lol...well duh how daft am I, I was shattered last night and decided to do my post to have a lie in this morning...in my sleepy state though I did a little boo boo and forget to press the publish button to schedule it...see its not technology at fault, its the idiot using it lol...Phil came home early yesterday and made pies and loads of them so we had the family for dinner last night, brilliant night and yummy pies...my Phil certainly knows how to bake and makes the best pastry ever, so light and crumbly...yum yum...so its his fault I was so full and sleepy last night, well that's my excuse and I'm sticking too it...did I tell you we bought a wreath for the front door at the weekend...Phil fell for a jingle bells wreath in red and white...its a circle of very tinkly bells with a huge red bow...our Daughter says its annoying but we love it and it will jingle every time the door opens...I haven't made any decorations yet so I better get my finger out hadn't I...have you all finished your Christmas shopping yet?, I haven't even started and I'm dreading buying for Phil he is the hardest to buy for...wouldn't you think how close we are I would know exactly what to get him but nope, not a clue, he isn't into technology (I'm the gadget person in our house), doesn't need any clothes and has all the cooking stuff he needs...so any advice gratefully accepted thanks lol...right now my card for today...isn't this little fella just fabulous hes from the latest Sparkle and Shine release at Sugar Nellie...fabulous Christmas digis perfect for Christmas/winter cards...hes called Letter to Santa and I coloured him with distress inks and added a bit of glittery stuff on the snow...I might have gone just a tad over with the distressing though and he ended up looking a little bit dirty instead of distressed edges...oh well we live and learn...the stunning gingham paper is a scrap from my stash so it doesn't have any name on it...I mean to put the names on the back of my scraps but didn't on this one...I added some plain red cardstock for an accent and finished with a fab bow and a few scattered sentiment stickers from the Bo Bunny Father Christmas stickers sheet...I cant for the life of me remember where the sketch is from (I think my memory is draining out of my ear the last 24 hours lol) but Im entering it for the Crafty Creations challenge, and the Allsorts challenge too....Im off out with my lovely Dad today for a little mooch and hopefully to find some ideas for Phil for Christmas...whatever your up to today have a brilliant memory lapse free day everyone

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

haor - frayed burlap

jeans - pumice stone

sweater and scarf - crushed olive, barn door

shoes - frayed burlap

dog - frayed burlap, barn door

lamp - frayed burlap, scattered straw

shading on snow - pumice stone

theres no accounting for taste...

Good morning everyone well did you have a fabulous weekend...we went out for a little run with my Dad yesterday, he seemed not too bad but you can never tell can you, its so hard for him...it must be because its hard for us Sisters...oh well we have a few weeks before the anniversary of my Mums passing and he is going away so he isn't home for the day so that's a relief, not that he wont be with me but that he wont be in the house where it happened...one weird thing yesterday we were walking through Town and there was a girl there with a pair of multicoloured huge trousers with braces...so strange, we were kinda hoping for her sake the circus was in Town, but its not though lol...some people sense of style is so strange isn't it but then I guess if we all dressed the same life would be pretty dull...speaking of dress I still haven't found anything for Phil's works Christmas party but decided to go with your advice and wear trousers and a top, smart but not too dressy...I will come back and tell you all off though if everyone has their long sparkly dresses on lol...right now onto my card for today...I decided to go CAS, yes I know shock horror me without my precious papers is such a shock isn't it lol...the fabulous Saturated Canary image was a freebie a little while back shes called Princess Rose Red, shes beautiful isn't she...I coloured her with distress inks, glittered her dress trim up and the background for her and the sentiment are from a Combo Sticker sheet by Bo Bunny's Father Christmas collection...I finished with a beautiful red satin bow from my stash...I really enjoyed making this cas card, I think its all the white but it really makes the coloured image pop of the page doesn't it...I'm entering this for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge, Glitter n Sparkle challenge and the Challenges 4 Everybody challenge too...I'm going to have a sort out of our Christmas stuff today because I saw my first Christmas tree in a neighbours window yesterday evening and that means next weekend ours will go up....wwwwooohhhhooooo cant wait...whatever your up to today I hope you all stay safe and warm

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

eyes - crushed olive

lips - barn door

dress - antique linen, crushed olive

my baubles...

Good morning everyone did you have a fab day yesterday? and an even better one planned for today I hope...we went to the craft and antiques fair yesterday and walking in was like a massive hit of instant Christmas...it was all the smells of the handmade candles and spiced buns and cakes and the sights of the wonderfully made wreaths and Christmas ornaments and there was Christmas carols playing too...it was wonderful and Phil was in his element and loved every second of it, he chatted away with the stall holders and was asking all about how they made the ornaments and wreaths etc...we bought some amazing glittered cupcakes and a couple of small ornaments for our tree (which we still don't have lol)...and there was someone selling revamped furniture and I was so so tempted to buy four retro chairs that were painted duck egg blue with some really funky sixties style fabric for the pads, they were so lush but no matter how hard I tried I could figure out where to use them where they would be shown off, we have six off white ladderback dining chairs so couldn't use them for the dining table and they deserved more than to be stuck in bedrooms so I resisted...now talking of ornaments I'm quite embarrassed to show you my first attempts above, mind remember they are prototypes and hopefully the real things will get better...well I hope they will

right now for my card for today using this super cute little stamp from Marianne Designs...shes called Daisy Autumn I coloured her with distress inks and paper pieced her gorgeous little coat... I think she works great for a Christmas card don't you especially with these lush papers from the Glitz 6x6" Paper Pack - Joyeux Noel pack...I also used a sentiment stamp from the Kaisercraft Clear Stamps - Twig & Berry Postmarks set, this is a fabulous set for all your Christmas cards and even for the sentiment inside...everything except the fabulous green satin ribbon is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts

the fab sketch is from the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge and Im also entering it for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Gem of a Challenge...we are heading out today I don't know where yet but we have to get my Dad out of the house and his mind distracted from the fact it would have been my Mums Birthday today...of course a bit of spoiling and a couple of hugs are in order for him too...whatever your up to today have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

dress - barn door

boots - frayed burlap

umbrella - barn door, peeled paint

leaves and shading - painted paint, antique linen

we have light...

Good morning everyone have you anything fabulous planned for today?...I didn't go out at all yesterday finished what I needed too and then had to wait in for an electrician to come to mend a couple of switches and the front porch light that refused to work no matter what we did...but we finally have light and visitors after dark don't have to grope their way around lol...then my lovely Dad was down for dinner so not a quiet day but a one where things got done...oh btw a few of you have asked about how my smoking is going, well I'm still not smoking...wow nearly three weeks now I didnt think that would ever happen...mind there as been a few temper tantrums and days I thought of chasing after people walking past smoking to mug them for it lol, but I resisted and poor Phil is getting used to me snapping his head off bless him but hopefully that will pass, sooner better than later would be better though for Phil's sake...right now onto my card for today...how amazing is this beautiful image from Mo's Digital Pencil, perfectly Christmassy isn't it...its called Taste of Winter and I coloured her with distress inks...the amazing papers are more from the Echo Park - Winter Wishes paper pad from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...I finished with a lush ribbon and bow and a punched glitter snowflake...the fabulous sketch is from Simon Says Stamp challenge and I'm also entering it for the Bearly-Mine challenge and the Fussy & Fancy Friday challenge too...we are heading to a Christmas Craft and antiques fair this morning then out to lunch and meeting my Dad a bit later to get him a new tv for his kitchen and put an aerial up for it...so a busy day ahead I think and maybe buying something pretty and lush from the fair, you never know do you...whatever your up to today I hope its a wonderful one

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - frayed burlap

shading on fur - pumice stone

stars, gloves and shoes - pine needles

scarf - pine needles, bundled sage

suit - milled lavender

shading on snow and sledge - stormy sky

and now for something a bit different...

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

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

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

berries - barn door

ribbon shading - antique linen

Santa will be pleased...

Good morning everyone I hope your all well and happy...I had every intention of getting ready early and heading into town but the best laid plans and all that...I got caught up with chores and doing a bit of surfing and tidying and before I knew it was 1pm so I headed for the shower and got dressed with the war paint on then Phil rang to say he was coming home early and did I need to go to the shops...so instead of my Christmas present shopping and mooch around the shops I ended up grocery shopping...exciting eh lol...oh well we did get something nice for dinner and had a little look around the supermarket and bought loads of Christmas food goodies (just to try out of course lol)...in fact we only went for bread and a couple of essentials and I ended up spending £30, that will teach me to go to the supermarket with a hungry man in tow wont it, its amazing what jumps into your trolley when you aren't looking...right now onto my card for today how stunningly beautiful is this Kenny K beauty...Santa will be pleased to find her waiting for him beside his sleigh wont he lol, she is called On Vixen I coloured her with distress inks and teamed her up with this amazing double sided paper from My Minds Eye Holly Jolly Collection...its called Candy Canes and is brilliant for this beauty isn't it...I finished with a stamped sentiment, I used part of the name band of the paper to stamp on and added some beautiful flowers, I cant remember what these are called but I know I bought them at Bunny Zoe's Crafts just before last Christmas...the fab sketch is from Mojo Monday I love their sketches don't you, they always make me think about the design of the card, I'm also entering it for the Party Time Tuesdays challenge and Heart 2 Heart challenges too...my lovely Dad is back from Belfast today, I was texting my Sister yesterday and she said he had a fabulous weekend and has enjoyed his visit so I hope he is rested and happy...these coming weeks are very difficult for him, my Mums Birthday would have been the 25th and the anniversary of her passing is the 13th December...its a hard time for all of us but of course especially him, my heart goes out to him and I feel his pain...I'm sure we will be heading out for put the world to rights coffee so watch the headlines lol...whatever your up to today have a fabulous one
Mina xxx

 

distress ink colours used 

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - pumice stone

dress, boots and ears - antique linen, frayed burlap

lips and jingle band - barn door

eyes - stormy sky

Peace & Quiet....

Good morning everyone hows your week going?...well I hope...well I finally got a day of peace and quiet and I even got some tree ornaments made...I was quite chuffed with them and when Phil came in from work if I'm in my craftroom he brings us up tea and choccy biscuits and sits on my sofa chatting while I finish off what I'm doing...so he came up with the supplies and I proudly showed him what I had made...well to say he wasn't that impressed is putting it mildly lol...nice he says but we just need about 50 more I hope you realise...groan I think I will pay a visit to the shops tomorrow and buy some lol...I will take a photo of them mind they were just practise ones so be kind when you see them...there was no more annoying callers at the door today at least but I did get an Ikea catalogue in the post which distracted me a bit...well a lot actually...I seriously think I could do a whole house from Ikea, in fact this one is getting that way very quickly...I'm in need of a visit I think, well I do have to get some gift vouchers for my married Nieces Christmas gifts so that's a good excuse isn't it, well its my excuse and I'm sticking to it lol...right now onto my card for today which is using this amazing image from Crafts and Me...its by Hannah Lynn and is called Wynndy...I coloured her with distress inks and instead of glittering her tail and flowers I found a clear glitter Sakura pen the other day while rummaging so used that instead but I don't think it shows us glittery enough on photos so will stick to my glitter glue, what do you think?...I matched her up with these stunningly beautiful papers from the Prima 6x6" Paper Pad - Romance Novel I bought from Bunny Zoe's Crafts...gorgeous isn't it...the sentiment is cut from another sheet from the same pad and I finished with a gorgeous glittery ribbon bow and a couple of pearl headed pins...the fab sketch is from The Sweet Stop challenge and Im also entering it for the Papertake Weekly challenge and the Artistic Inspirations challenge too...Im going to get some war paint on and head out for Christmas gift shopping today...my lovely Dad isn't back from Belfast yet but sometime a mooch by yourself is called for isn't it...I might even treat myself to some lunch you never know lol...whatever your up today whatever it is I hope you have fun

Mina xxx

distress ink colours used

skin - antique linen, frayed burlap, tattered rose

hair - antique linen

pal leaves & eyes - Marvy green pen

flowers - victorian velvet, peeled paint