Mizuhiki Mingle & Chinese Arch

I made this card for a mingle on OSA (Oriental Stamp Art) group and it had to include a mizuhiki knot on it somewhere. I love making these knots which represent continuing friendship and I often turn out a few on long journeys to have ready as gifts or to use on my Asian cards.

The stamps are from the geisha plate I designed for Stampattack. The main image inside always makes me laugh as, when I originally finished drawing it, I asked DH what he thought of it and he answered "Bum, bum, bum bum!" Get it? I tell everyone who buys the stamp from me at the shows, just for fun!

This is the front when it is tied up and I attached another knot and threaded my ribbon ties through it.

I used some Washi paper to fill the triangle areas and to save time as there are so many spaces to fill.

I also added an ATC for the hostess of the mingle.

Sunday we enjoyed sharing the celebration for my lovely neighbour Betty who really doesn't look her age. She is lovely, a real gem and so elegant too. It was an exceptional meal.... three courses of lovely food and wine and the company of all her lovely family and a few special friends. We were honoured to be a part of it and we will certainly return to Pushka for another meal.

As we arrived early, we took a walk in the sunshine up to Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and to the Chinese Arch. It is a spectacular sight especially when the gold leaf glistens in the sun.

It was a gift from the people of Shanghai to celebrate the Millenium and is the focal point each year for the Chinese New Year Celebrations. At over 50 feet high, it is the largest arch outside of China and has 200 hundred dragons and five roofs.  

One of the two bronze lions at the foot of the arch guarding passage through it to China town.

After that Southport in the rain just didn't offer much today! Hope the sun shone wherever you are!