New Year Layout

This is my first lay out for 2011. One of my friends set us a challenge to scrap our aspirations for 2011. I'm not one who makes New Year's resolutions, but had a go at this challenge. Some of the things that I hope 2011 will be is less stressful than last year and that we are all healthy & happy. I used Crate Papers from the Prudence collection that I bought while we were in Canada last year. The title was cut using Cuttblebug Harmony font. The journaling was all done by hand. I used my new book "The Scrapbooker's Handwriting Workshop" by Crystal Rieger that was given to me by my good friend Pat as inspiration. It was very adventurous of me to do so much journaling and in my own hand. I'm so pleased with the results, it's encouraged me to do more. I hope it will encourage others to do the same. I finished off the layout with Basic Grey Popps 3D elements, ribbon and buttons. I hope that you all have an amazing new year and all the best for 2011.

December Birthday Cards

I couldn't post this until my Mom received it, but now I can. I made this card using a using an image from Digital Two for Tuesday blog and printed it out twice. I coloured them in using ProMarkers. I used Bazzil dotty cardstock and My Minds Eye's papers. The scalloped circle was cut using a Nestabilities die in a Cuttlebug machine, embossed using Snowflake Dots Cuttlebug Folder and then inked with Tim Holtz Distress Inks. The card was finished off with gingham ribbon and Basic Grey letter stickers.



The next card was for a good friend and was done using Crafty Individual stamp, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Basic Grey papers and Cuttlebug embossing folder. It was finished off with paper flowers, leaves and a button.



The third card was for my brother in law. I always find it hard to make cards for men. I did this one using a Paper Artsy stamps, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Tim Holtz die cut, Time Holtz Tissue ribbon, EmbelliScrap swirl shape embossed with Cuttlebug Snowflake Dots folder, ribbon and scraps of paper.

Three more birthday coming up soon in January, so I best be getting on with making some more cards.

Our 10th Anniversary

IMG_0354, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Last week Peter and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. I can believe how quickly the last 10 years have flown by. We weren't able to celebrate on the day as both of us had to work, but we did get away for the day on Saturday. We deiced to go to Kingston-Upon-Thames for the day. We went because on the day after our wedding in Canada while we were driving to Ottawa to get my visa we stayed over night half way in Kingston, Ontario. So we went to see what the England equivalent was like.

The town it's self is much like any other urban city with lots of shops etc.,but running through it is the river Thames and we enjoyed a lovely morning stroll along the banks. We saw several swans, geese and coots. On the river there was a lot of boat activity especially people in long row boats, and along the riverbank there were many channel boats ofter with lots of potted plants growing on them. Part way down the Thames we came to a dock where you can get boat trips. We decided to take a trip to Hampton Court Palace. I was a nice day so we sat out in the bow and enjoyed a leisurely cruise along the river watching all the beautiful riverbank scenery go by.

We got to Hampton Court Palace and decided to have a look around. The palace itself would have taken 3 hours to go through and the boat back left in 2, so we just paid to go into the private gardens instead. The weather had got a bit cloudy, but it was still nice. As the clouds came in I would put my sweater on and then the sun would come out and I'd have to take it off again. In the end I just keep my sweater on cause every time I took it off the clouds would come. After that we had a nice sunny day. We strolled around the gardens enjoying all the water features, birds, manicured trees, sculptures and the few remaining flowers for this time of year. We didn't make it through the whole of the grounds before we had to start thinking about heading back to the boat. We grabbed an ice cream and meandered back to the dock and just made it in time for the boat back to Kingston.

Back in Kingston we went around some of the shops. I was quiet intrigued by one called Candy Cakes. We went inside, but I must admit that the cupcakes they sold did not look appetising at all. They were covered with this thick icing in bright colours that looked almost like play dough. We did however buy a few French Macaron which reminded us of Luxemburgerli we've had from Switzerland. We found a cafe with a few of the river and had a drink and a few of the Macarons. They were enjoyable, but not nearly as nice as Luxemburgerli.

In the evening we drove over to Epsom and meet up with a friend who we haven't seen in a long time and enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal together. We started off with olives and garlic bread, then I had a calzone, Peter a spicy pizza and our friend Geoff had a chicken caesar salad. We finished the meal off with profiteroles filled with ice cream. It was great to catch up with our friend and to share a meal together. Then it was back on the road and heading home after a wonderful day spent together.

More photo's from our day together here

May Birthday Cards

RIMG5940, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Today I had a day off, so I've used the time to get caught up with some Birthday cards in May. The first one is for my Father-in-law, who spent his birthday in Cornwall, which gave me a few extra days to get a card made. The image was downloaded from Digital Two for Tuesday and coloured in with Promarkers. I used this weeks sketch from the CPS blog as a base of my layout. I cut out the wave pattern with the CraftRobo and the papers used were from the Basic Grey Wisteria collection. The card was finished off with ribbon and marbled tiles. Inside the card I put the poem "Sea Fever"

"I MUST down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking. I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."
John Masefield

The second card I made today was for a good friend. The image is my new Wiffs of Joy stamp coloured in with ProMarkers and accented with stickles. I used Crate paper and stamped the background with Sandilion stamps and Distress Ink. The sentimates were printed from the computer. The card was finished off with ribbon and My Minds Eye croched flowers.

April Cards

At the beginning of April there are quiet a few birthdays that I needed to make cards for. The above was done for a good friends birthday. The image was a free download from Digital Two for Tuesday blog. It was printed on Stampin' Up cardstock and coloured in with ProMarkers. The image was mounted with 3D foam onto card stamped with Crafty Individuals Friends stamp inked with Ranger distress inks. The background on the card stock was done by stamping with embossing ink and then bushing it over with Ranger Perfect Pearls medium in gold. The background paper is Create Paper Static Collection inked with Tim Holtz distress ink. The "Happy Birthday" sentiment was glazed with Sepia Accents to give it a more muted antique look. The card was finished off with ribbon, a Prima paper flower and a brad.


The next card was done for my sister. It was done using another free digital image I downloaded, but I can't remember from where. The image was coloured in with ProMarkers. I just love the way this one turned out only using a couple of colours, but they build up and blend so well it makes it look that I've used more. The papers are My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow collection, and the edges were inked with ProMarkers. The card was finished off with a sisters quote sticker and some ribbon.


The last card is for my brother-in-law. It's always hard to do cards for men. This one I have used a Paper Artsy stamp on top of some cardstock that was blended with Ranger Distress Inks. Then the image was covered with Ranger Rock Candy Crackle paint and left to dry. The background was done using Tim Holtz gear masks that were again inked over with Ranger Distress Inks. The background paper is My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus"Our Family" collection stripe paper. The card was finished off with ribbon with brass rivets and metal establishments inked with Ranger Alcohol Inks.

1st Brithday

RIMG5596, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

I've done this card for a friends little boy's 1st birthday. The image is a digital download from Mo Manning and was coloured in with ProMarkers. The layout is from this weeks Sketch Saturday and again the papers and cut outs are from the Create Mia collection. The "1" was cut using the CraftRobo and was using the font Cosmic Sans. The "Happy Birthdays were added by hand as an afterthought, so they are not 100% positioned right, but I think it does the job. The card was finished off with some buttons.

CPS 140 Birthday Card

RIMG5444, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

It seem I've not made very many birthday cards this year, but as it's a special friends birthday this month, I just had to sit down and make one. I made this one based on the CPS sketch #140. I used Whiff of Joy "Willow with hot chocolate" stamp and coloured it in with Promarkers. I'm just loving using my Promarkers these days and seem to spend more time colouring in images than making them into anything.The papers are Basic Grey Wisteria Cornflower and the brads are also from the BG Wisteria range. The backing card stock is Bazzil Swiss Dots. I inked the edges of the scallop and the paper with Tim Holtz Dusty Concord Distress Ink to finish it off.

Dedication Card

Just made this quick little card last night, as it's our Minister's Son's Dedication today. I downloaded the image on-line (sorry can't remember from where) and coloured it in with Promarkers. Papers used are from the Basic Grey Archaic range and were inked around the edges with Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown ink. The title was done using Hero Art Tiny Dot alphabet stamps. The ribbon is from the Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie range.

Last Days in Mallorca!

Friday was our last full day in Mallorca. We decided that we wanted a very quiet day, so we didn't adventure out much. After a very late morning, Peter went out into the garden and read, and read, and read! He finished his books so he started to read the book I had brought (and not read) and when they were all finished he moved onto audio books on his MP3 player. While he was doing that I was indoors out of the sun mostly downloading photos from camera and updating my blog. Even though I was indoors, I still had an amazing view of the mountains and enjoyed seeing it in with the sunshine, without the chance of getting burned. Later in the afternoon Peter even managed another swim, but it was still way to cold for me to go in. I also wasn't too happy about the mouse (or possible baby rat) that was found in the bottom of the pool. YUCK! In the early evening, once Peter had dried off from his swim, we went for another short walk of the local area. We took a different route from the one earlier in the week to check out the local "caves" from which the area is named after "Ses Coves". They are very small compared to what we saw earlier in the week and also chained off so you cant get too close. They were used at various times as pirate hideaways and wine cellars. One of them still contains an ancient wine-press. Also on the walk we saw lost more trees including pomegranate, fig, lemon and olive. We walked pass the old town well up to the top of the road. From there were some wonderful views of the valley and also some more examples of terraces along the hillside. At this point we were at the edge of the forest area. We were told by our host that it is hunting season, and we shouldn't go into the forest. At this point we turned around and headed back to pack, have a light dinner followed by fresh plum pie with cream and an early night.

We woke up early on Saturday to have our last ensaimada and coffee as we enjoyed the last view of the mountains. Then it was into the car for our last drive into Palma and to the airport. It was a quiet ride as Peter and I tried to take in all of the view for the last time. We watched the mountains, orchards, palm trees and windmills all roll by. The old windmills are a big part of the island's history. Some dating back to the 17th century used by farmers for grinding grain and water pumps. The ones by the airport are mostly used as water pumps. The area just outside Palma is below sea level and the windmills there were mainly used to pump water into reservoir. Most of the windmills are in disarray, but due to the historical significance of them the government has started a restoration project. Then the short car journey was over. Our hosts dropped us off at the airport and after a quick adios, we were on the plane home! We want to say a big thank you to our friends who were great hosts. We certainly had an amazing holiday and hope you all enjoyed sharing it with us.

Belated Birthday

I made this card while I was on holiday in Cornwall. It's for a friends belated birthday. I took my Letraset Promarkers with me on holiday to practice using them. I was very happy with the results on this Magnolia stamp, that I decided to make it into a card. The basic lay out was based on an example in the latest issue of Stamp Crafter magazine. I used My Minds Eye Bella Bella Bellezo paper, MME Wild Asparagus die cut, organza, ribbon, alphabet stamps, Prima Artful Collage flowers, Prima Daisy Crazy Mackenzie flowers and a brad.

Hedgehog Birthday Card

Hedgehog Birthday Card,

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything on my blog. I've been sick again and not up to doing any crafting. I'm starting to feel better now and I'm trying to get my head around starting some Christmas cards, but in the mean time here is a card I've done for a friends Birthday.

I used ISMAKI challenge #36 for the layout of this card. The card itself was done using Penny Black "A gift for you" stamped image from a swap with Valentines Cards. The image was painted with Twinkling H2Os. The pattered papers used are from the Basic Grey Infuse range and the card stocked used was Basic Grey Blush Delish. Also used were Basic Grey Sultry element stickers and Making Memories Note Worthy felt flowers held together with a brad. The title was done with Hero Arts Tiny Dot Letter stamps and Ranger Distress Vintage Photo ink.

Maze Book Swap

My team on UKScrappers is doing a maze book swap. A maze book is made from one single sheet of 12" x 12" card stock cut and folded in one contentious line. We each make 7 maze books with different themes of quotes. I've chosen "friendship". Then we swap them and get 7 different books (including one of our own) back. This is the first one that I've started today. I've not put in the quotes yet but have the basic album completed. I've made it with Amy Butler Belle papers and fabric brad. Tag were cut using Cuttlebug Red Tag Die and title was cut using Craft Robo and Lucida Handwriting font. Title is outlined with white pen and "i" dotted with PM adhesive stones. I've added an extra strip of paper along the back of the folded pages to give it a spine. I think it gives it a more complete look.

Now only another 6 more to go!

Get Well Soon Tall Card

Get Well Soon Tall Card, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Made this card this morning for a friend who is in hospital. She's doing well and might be coming home today, but thought I'd give her this card anyways. It was done using scraps from my last few scrapbooking layouts. Just goes to show you should through your scraps away. The papers are Create Blue Hill collection and I can't remember the name of the red paper. Ribbon is Basic Grey ribbon and Making Memory's (note)worthy flowers with jewelled brads.

Back to Crafting

Finally after weeks of not doing any crafts, I had a nice evening around at a friends doing some scrapbooking. It was a great evening and I got 3 layouts done for an album I'm working on. I will update later with the materials I've used, but for now enjoy the slide show.

Take Your Family to Work Day

Sorry there are not photos from yesterday. It was another busy day, but this time not doing the tourist thing, but taking my sister to work with me at Wesley Owen. I managed to find lots of little jobs she could do that didn't involve too much training. She did some data entry of invoices received to track our spending budget. As well my manager got her to do some mailing out for him of some book order he had from a convention he has just got back from. It was also a very special day, as it was our Deputy Managers last day, after working for Wesley Owen for the last 10 years. Lots of regular customers were coming in all day to say good-bye. His family of four lovely children and his wife also visited us making it a very lively day. At the end of the day we gave him a book will all sorts of comments in it from customers, staff and staff from other shops as well. Then we prayed for him and all departed. Everyone was very close to tears, but we managed to keep it up beat and a happy time.

We decided to have a nice quiet evening in. Peter cooked us a lovely meal of salt beef, potatoes and veggies. Yvonne had her first try of fresh cooked soy beans and enjoyed them very much. After dinner we went for a short walk around the neighbour hood to see if we could see any foxes. Yvonne has been wanting to see one ever since she came. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to see one. Then it was back indoors for a quick game of Monopoly cards and then to bed. I can't believe that today will be her last day here. I have to work, but Peter is planning to take her on a boat ride along the Thames. Stay tuned for hopefully more photo's and updates.

Another Day Another BBQ

Well Yvonne's visit is having a great effect on the weather here. Today was yet again another hot sunny day. After church we were invited around out our friend for another BBQ. We had some lovely marianded pork, beef sausages ( a first for Yvonne), salad, and the garlic and onions we bought at bourgh market the day before. We sat out in there lovely garden and enjoyed some nice wine and fine company. We had a nice relaxing afternoon just watching the planes fly over head and the next door cat chase the flies. It was a great way to spend a lazy sunday afternoon. A big thank you to Wulf and Jane!

First Communion Card

First Communion Card, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

First Holy Communion card for a friends son. Done using Basic Grey Archaic papers, Papermainia cross stamp and Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown ink. With added Basic Grey ric rac. Based on CPS #70 sketch.

Made this earlier in the week, but didn't want to upload it till after I gave it to my friend's Son. Thank you to PinkFairy for a wonderful afternoon after the service today. Really enjoyed all the wonderful food and time together with friends in your garden.

Koala Kard

I enjoyed having some friends around on the weekend for a mini crop at mine. During the crop I did this cute Koala card for a friend's two year old's birthday. I used a new Whipper Snapper rubber stamp coloured in with water colour pencils, Basic Grey Archaic papers, Chip board letter, Ranger Distress Ink and ribbon. The balloons on the image was double stamped, coloured, cut out and mounted with 3D foam. Clear Stickles glitter was then added to the balloons.

ISMAKI Challenge #18

Sketch

Card done for ISMAKI challenge #18. I used my TYI Tag to make this card. The background was done using EK success and Rusty Pickle paper scraps, Glimmer Mist with Crafty Individual and Hero Arts stamps. Thanks for looking!

New Position!

Today I was offered the position of Senior Sales at my workplace. I was happy to accept and will start the position on the 1st of May. However, I have already booked the 1st & 2nd off work to go to Colour Your World, and Monday is a Bank holiday. So I'll officially start on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for their support over the last few weeks as I pondered the decision to apply for this job. I'm both excited and nervous as I venture forward.

This may however mean less time for crafting, but will endeavour to still do as much as possible and post on here when I can.