ISMAKI Challenge 8

Flickr, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

A birthday card made for the ISMAKI card challenge.

sketch

Done using K&Co Amy Buttler Designer papers, Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Magnolia stamp, Ranger Distress ink Worn Lipstick and Shabby Shutters, sliver flower beads, rag ribbon and Dymo tape.

New Book

Just got this great new book called Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin. It has all sorts of different techniques to make mix media ATCs. It also has a brief history of ATCs and ideas of where to swap and how to store them. I can't wait to start to use some of the techniques in this book to make some ATCs. So watch this space and you might just see them, and maybe even have a chance to trade with me.

Triumphant Dad

Triumphant Dad, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

On Friday I went to a friends house for our monthly "4's A Crop" get together. Really missed having our 4th member there, but had a productive time. I managed to get 3 layouts done including this one of a old photo of my Dad in his youth with his Triumph Bike. He's really happy with the results and so am I.

Layout design is based on a sketch from PageMaps. Done using Basic Grey Phresh&Phunky Pharisghted and Phunny papers and Recess Teachers Lounge and Answers papers, Fancy Pants cut out element, Ranger distress Inks, Sizzlets diecut, BG sticker letters and ribbon.

ISMAKI Challenge #7

ISMAKI Challenge #7, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Done for this weeks ISMAKI Challenge

Thank You card for a work college who is leaving after more than 20 years of service. Done using Basic Grey papers, ribbon, Cuttlebug Embossing folders, Crafty Individual stamps, Ranger distress Inks, hand stitching with embroidery floss, metal eyelets and a button.

Pretty in Pink

Last week I went to my friends house to do crafts together. For some reason I seem to be having a pink day. I don't usually use or like pink, but I'm very happy with the results. The first thing I made while I was there is this altered tin for a swap on UK Stampers. To alter it I used Amy Buter papers and fabric brad, felt flowers, a metal charm, eyelets, ribbon, and Ranger Distress Ink. Although the top of the tin is one piece of paper, the sides and bottom are done as a collage.

One of the conditions of the swap is to put something in the tin as well. So I made a matching ATC, also in pink to fit in my tin. I used a matching collage style as well with left over bits of Amy Butler paper, Ranger Distress Ink, Paper Arts Stamps, Hero Art Dotted Alpha stamps and a stapled ribbon.

My friends also decided to do an ATC challenge while there to made a set of 3 ATCs using my friends new Glitter Mist (which just happens to be pink) for the background. I made these "Friend" ATCs using Glitter Mist, Paper Arts Stamps, Prima textured flower, brads, mini fabric dress, Swell font stamp and Ranger Distress Inks.

Frosty Morning and Hazy Evenings

Well winter is certainly here in London. Monday saw a very cold and frosty morning, and I took this photo on the way to work. Although it stayed cold, the sun did shine quite brightly and I am noticing that it's starting to stay lighter in the evenings. I took this next photo on the way home on the same day. So although it's cold outside I feel it won't be for much longer and spring is just around the corner.

New Home Card

New Home Card, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Just made this card today for my friend who moved last week. Hope she likes it, and is settling into her new home.

Done using Fancy Pants fancy-free paper and Cosmo Cricket Halfway Cafe paper, Basic Grey, Hero Arts, Crafty Individual and Stampendous stamps, Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Ranger paint Dabbers and distressed inks and a button.

Guest for Dinner

We have just enjoyed a lovely evening with friends. Our new minister Honesty and his wife Debbie came over for dinner. We cooked them Thai food, which Debbie wasn't sure she'd ever had before. The menu was, fresh vegetable and herb rolls served with sweet chili dipping sauce, chicken satay with peanut sauce, followed by beef red Thai curry served with chili fried rice. Although there was lots of chili on the menu, it wasn't so hot it burns, but just gave the meal a nice warmth. Then we had coconut rice pancakes served with cooked bananas and caramel sauce. The desert was a bit of an experiment, but it turned out very nice. Our guests really seem to enjoy the food and even took some homemade peanut sauce home with them. We really enjoyed our time together and hope we didn't bore them with all our old wedding photos. Hope to see you guys again soon.

It was funny when we originally made the dinner arrangement for last week, that the same weekend last year, we had another friend from church over for Thai as well. This was the first time since then that we've had people over for a Thai meal. We must do it more often.

Who next should we invite for Thai?

ISMAKI Challenge 6 - For My Beloved

ISMAKI Challenge 6, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

ISMAKI - Challenge 6 Done using Basic Grey card kit papers, ribbon and chipboard heart, Cuttlebug script embossing folder, Ranger Dabber Lake Mist, Ranger Distress Ink Worn Lipstick and Aged Mahogany, PaperArtsy stamps School Days and Swirls & Curls 5 and Hero Arts Tiny Dots Letters.

Welcome to my Blog

smirk, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

After much deliberation I have taken the plunge (or is it that I was just pushed into the deep end) and started my own blog. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to post here, but hope to use it to show off my crafty creations, let people know what's going on in our life over here in England (across the pond) and maybe even ramble a little.