Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Our Daily Bread, PanPastels on Embossed Vellum + WOYWW

Hullo there everyone.. well, another "desky" share as it is Wednesday again!! and that means the great worldwide Blog - hop around desks of the world for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our chief's desk for the link up, at Julia's Stamping Ground! 
To my desk:
Mm, am missing my good camera in being repaired :( all today's images except for two cards are taken with mobile.. this is really showing it how very messy it gets..
Although I have actually tidied it up since then, but had dumped these things from a desk in warmer part of house where they had migrated.
You can see a Christmas card (see post below this) at the back left and some stash in clear bag with other Christmas images in it ..was supposed to make more than one!!
Also vellum coloured pieces from last week at middle back, are there are backed with card + ribboned, really pretty, no time to make into cards yet. Two items are new, one a corner rounder punch - a replacement for dud one from Spotlight. I was given credit for dud one, which was really good since I did not have receipt :D Plus new mounting tape, as found good source for this one locally.
Other folks in Australia are probably like me noticing how dear things are since our dollar has plummeted by 1/3 these last few months. Just as well shopped when things were not so dear. :D
This is why my desk is so very neglected. Rose time here. Roses have been pruned and sprayed with lime sulphur - good for black spot but needs to be done in winter; plus a week or  so of  good weeding done. Now it is feed, add wet newspaper and mulch. Here you can see the laying down of wet newspaper, soaking in the wheel barrow to left and laid out. It helps prevent weeds sprouting through the mulch.
Done 2/3 of the job, on right bed, a small space left in corner for new rose, have four new roses coming to replace ones lost and 35 roses in all - nearly always have about three dozen. Plastic 2 litre bottles upended get water to the roots of roses.
Need to finish very back bed, small one at side, and dwarf Eureka lemon tree at back then done for the backyard. Will need to lay chicken wire over bed with mulch too as the brush turkeys come and pull all the mulch off the garden otherwise... ugh, more work, then!
The last two cards made for a very dear family who lost their dad. See others on this post here ( I show the twelve of them laid out ) others shown here, here, here and here - two each link.
This card image was made ages back now with "the Sea" stamp by Our Daily Bread in oval mask, coloured in PanPastels. I diecut a frame with SB Classic ovals out of CB Bubbles EF. Sentiment is Mini Tags by ODB also, inked embossed and hand cut around it, added black highlight with snippet of black card .
EDIT 4th Aug 2015: Wow, this card won Shining the Light Award .. see over here at ODB - to God be the glory!

This is Manhattan Rose Sizzix (SU) folder embossed on vellum, coloured on back with Panpastels; have coloured vellum on edge, punched with MS layered arches punch. Stamped embossed sentiment "Praying for you" is  Stampabilies, diecut with SB Deckle ovals + colour edged with same colours. 
Aussie photo today was from yesterday when out in garden, this Noisy Minor in the flowering NZ Christmas bush, and he was making a right noise, as they do. I was chatting to him and he started to give me the beady eye.. holding ever so still. As had mobile nearby took pickie up close.. then he kept on eating then nectar :D
Ending with a little housekeeping, I am delighted to welcome some new encouragers. Evalila, a very new blogger has joined this blog as a wonderful encourager, she is also very new to WOYWW. Please do pop over to Evalila's blog HERE, and give her a big welcome to blogland, her cards are so clever, too.
Sue Powell, no blog that I could find.. but thank you! you make my day!!
Kathy of KT Crafts, loves making mini albums, met her through the Snippets playground... thanks Kathy for joining as a wonderful encourager, you are a great blessing!

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek and chat, I really appreciate your kindness, will return as soon as able.
May God bless your day wherever you may be..  Shaz in Oz.x
 
"I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad..." Psalm 16:8, 9a
Am linking over to these challenges:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  snippets on both cards, linking first one though. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
3. Our daily Bread - Anything goes with Our Daily Bread stamps http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/odbdslc248-anything-goes-with-odbd.html

Sunday 26 July 2015

Christmas card + Distress Ink on Embossing folders

Finally have managed to join in with the Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's have bee really absent of last many months .. do join over at Mo's, you have till 31st!

Here is a new favourite embossing folder .. Holly Vines is by Darice.. and wow! is that wonderful embossing?  it really pops!
Greeting scalloped border were made for cards last year but not used as was the ribbon, have more of it like it too.. the Sweet and Sassy stamp and die set is owned by a dear friend Mehrll in US and she so kindly sent me a whole lot of 'em stamped and cut .. aren't they special? The star came with it and gold embossed that with Versamark and EP so it would stand out too.
This sadly is a poor image .. doesn't show the glimmermist gleaming .. very flat 2D, rath er than 3D. My good camera is at the camera doctors :( 
I am entering this card in Allsorts weekly challenge... Add a butterfly!       http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/week-321-add-butterfly.html
The CB folder "stylised flowers" was inked up in smooches of DI Dusty Concord, Peacock feathers and Tumbled Glass, embossed after spritzing ink a little, then emboss in CB. Then spritz the  whole piece with gleaming glimmermist diamond - it was so nice couldn't cover it up so here is the card for my friends birthday.. stamp greeting is Stampendous Numbers 6:24, 25 on a Die cut fancy frame by Bo Bunny.

Well, thanks for peeking everyone, happy WOYWW and may God bless your day wherever you may be, Shaz in Oz. x


The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:25. 26
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on cards. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Wednesday 22 July 2015

WOYWW + Snippety cards + Colouring Embossed Vellum

 Hullo everyone... this is desk time of the week, Wednesday  .. over at Julia's for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday

Okay so a good start has been made on my friend's 80th card over on the left, I have finished the roses 3D and cut out the mount I am going to put it on, but not attached that is why it is not quite straight, also working out what colour cardstock to use with it. It will need a digi birthday greeting too.
On the right is an effort of colouring with pro-markers embossed vellum (on the back for subtle tones). The jury is still out, but think will make them up into cards even though I know I should have used the thicker vellum to dry emboss it - so as to not have the perforations through vellum, in number of pressure spots.
This is the beginning of one of the twelve sympathy cards made for the one family, a while back .. have embossed a gold piece of card with CB clockworks folder and colouring with Stazon and other inks after a little distressing.
Here is the finished card , the sentiment is from ODB the clock stamp not quite sure whose as is an old one bought second hand, un-named. A snippet of the coal black under the clockworks, plus gold piece was, added a couple of cogs, colour changed to match.
Stamp is from ODB and the MFT Upsy Daisy die, and more snippets of  DP.
This is the twelve in all, I have posted some of them.. others shown here, here, here and here - two each link. .. or just scroll down below the posts. I will share the other four in the next week.
Here is the photo from downunder, it is a sucking insect on our hibiscus. I really should have killed it but took a photo instead :D it is a jewel bug .. see details here. It is another part of God's beautiful creatures we have here .. my sister is travelling overseas and commented on how few birds, animals and insects they see over there compared to here.. we really are blessed.
Barb, a very new blogger from the Snippety playground and very new to WOYWW also, has joined this blog as a wonderful encourager.

Well, thanks for peeking everyone, happy WOYWW and may God bless your day wherever you may be, Shaz in Oz. x

 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on cards. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Sunday 19 July 2015

Ink Resist + Stampscapes Brayer card

Hullo there everyone! Well, our winter is lovely, fairly warm and sunny where we live but very cold, snowy down south and up on the northern tablelands, about an hour or so inland from here.. 
Also really enjoying watching Le Tour de France .. with all it's thrills and spills .. my brother is over there again riding each day part of the course as Aussie bike tour guide .. they usually do about 2/3 of the route each day then watch the race from a vantage point. :D

I am sharing again a couple of cards from the dozen I made for a very dear family who lost their dad.
See others shown here, here and here - two each link. .. or just scroll down below the posts.
This is an ink resist: 1.stamp the background stamp on white card with clear embossing powder
2. Using Distress Inks, ink up background with sponge daubers - Peacock Feathers, Dusty Concord, Weathered Wood.
3. Use same inks to color white mounted card, for background. "With Love" is wooden Print Blocks
Stamp from 1990's, embossed in silver, inked in Peacock feathers.
Stampscapes and brayered background (see here) on glossy card image, with masked moon. Stampscapes stamps - Lakeside cabin stamp, rock platform, reeds,and small tree branch at top, inked with black around edge. I like this last stamp 'cos they look like gumleaves.
Used curved Spellbinders borderabilities on background, with two CB embossing folders, distressed a little - bubbles (mauve) and reed (grey). "I'm praying for you" stamp is Stampabilities.

 Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be! 
Shaz in Oz.x 

"But the Wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, .. easy to be intreated, full of mercy ... without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17

Linking the two cards up to: 
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on both cards. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
3. Aussie Blog Challenge "Anything Goes" @ Bizzy Bec's a great Aussie craft site .. very reasonable! http://bizzybecsstore.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/july-challenge.html

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Alcohol Cling Wrap method + Stampscapes + WOYWW

{WARNING - Picture heavy post.} 

Hullo there everyone - YES! 'Tis Wednesday - desk showing/ sharing again!! Pop over to Julia's - we all join together to share and learn on a world wide desk hop. 
Today however we are feeling a little sad at the sudden passing of a fellow Aussie and  WOYWW-er - Eliza of  Queenartopia last Wednesday. My thoughts and prayers are with all who loved her, especially family and friends. I first came to know her, as did many of us, not long before she had rescued Yoda her beloved cat, there was always a Yoda pose for us to enjoy on Eliza's WOYWW. Eliza will be really missed by so many.

 To my messy desk:
Well, this is a "To Do" desk really .. on left for the hand made stamp (shown last week, two posts below) carved by RosA which was stamped and embossed - binned the other two  did as did not like the powders I used - really need to cull some ugly ones. Why do they make and sell ugly embossing powders? LOVED the gold embossed image on black card though. Also there are some NBUS stamps, am going to leave out in hope (?) that will use them! Especially Christmas ones, I need to get cracking! On right is a 3D rose set as have to make an 80th birthday card for a friend who also is rose lover. So plan is to use one of these.
One more of the 12 cards made for friend's family .. see others here and here, or just scroll down. This one is die cut .. border is a Nellie Snellen, the flower and vase is from Olivia Cuttlebug alphabet die set. Marbled gloss photo paper is made like this technique here.
Except this time did not brayer but just "splotted' it over gloss card/ or photo paper, which was first moistened with alcohol blending solution. Used alcohol inks, and some dye inks. Its very "try and see what works" style :D but need to move quicker with alcohol inks.
Stampscapes scene created with many stamps then coloured mainly with Panpastels but few inks too. DP on background as one sheet a freebie, then CB woodgrain Embossed piece in Kraft card done years ago now. Greeting "Sending prayers and hugs" is by ODB
Now the photos from Australia today are by friends of mine who are travelling around WA. Although winter rather than spring here, they still found some wonderful wildflowers that I thought you might like to see. I spent some time trying to find the names of them to no avail .. except for the Banksia. They are all taken this week at West Australian Lesueur National park.





Well, that is all for today except to extend very big welcome to anew wonderful encourager to this blog - so a very big welcome to Nan of WOYWW, over at Nann's Craftiness
 
May God bless your day, every one - wherever you may be!and thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat.. will return your visits as soon as able!

Shaz in Oz.x
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us....

Linking over to:
 1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on second card.
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.

3. Aussie Blog Challenge "Anything Goes" @ Bizzy Bec's a great Aussie craft site .. very reasonable!  - http://bizzybecsstore.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/july-challenge.html

Sunday 12 July 2015

Our Daily Bread Stamps + Praying for you Cards.

Hullo there everyone ... as I said on Wednesday had made a bakers dozen, 13 for one family last week, who really needed all the prayers and hugs I could send. So sharing two more. I used quite a number of Daily bread Stamps on them. The first card will enter in this week's Colour Challenge as has those shades in it .. as well as the bonus of their stamp. I hadn't used this "Thinking of You" set much before but found it was perfect for this occasion, so used it a few times.
Love this die-cut of the hearts within hearts (by Impression Obsession) .. those of you who read this blog may remember some weeks back I had to make a wedding card. I went to use my new die, thinking it was this die - but when opened it was not it at all. So had to substitute my plan. You will see that card HERE! I was sent this, the correct die, as well as keeping the other one. :D
This layout I have made before but all three stamps are different, layout is little different. Stamp "sending hugs and prayers" also from ODB - Mini TAGS 3. Watercolour piece was made the same way the two background pieces on cards below were made, or see here. Distress inks, watercolour paper, water spray and glimmermist. Folder is Embossalicious Regency Swirls. Entering this in the Stamping Sensations July challenge which is "Feature a Creature". Butterflies are from Stampendous. Also linking this second card over to Mrs A.s Butterfly Challenge  where it's butterfly + G is for gems, think pearls are gems. http://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/34-butterflies-g-is-for-gems.html
As both card have snippets in the little stamped pieces, am including both in the Snippets playground and also in Word Art Wednesday, Anything goes.

Every blessing of the LORD everyone where ever you maybe!
Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated and will, God willing, call back to see your lovely work, too!
Shaz in Oz.x

"When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2

In Times Like These
In times like these, we need a Savior
In times like these, we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

 ....
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one
This Rock is Jesus, The only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

.....
(Excerpt of hymn by Ruth Caye Jones )

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Kindness of WOYWW + Distress Ink + Water-colour Paper.

Hullo there everyone.. well, another "desky" share as it is Wednesday again!! and that means the great worldwide Blog-hop around desks of the world for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our chief's desk for the link up, at Julia's Stamping Ground! 
To my desk:
The most important items on my desk today are from fellow WOYWW-ers. Last week I managed to catch up with RosA, down in the big smoke yesterday after my Dr's visit .. what  treat it was ... a fellow crafter wearing her WOYWW badge! and our meeting is all courtesy of this wonderful thing called WOYWW! Of her bounty there were these lovely papers (YUM!!) two atc's and a hand-carved stamp (how amazing is that?).. see rear image. I showed a doodle  a while ago on WOYWW of a doodle done with mapping pen and India ink when in my teens, and kind RosA offered to make a stamp of it! :D
I really thank you dear friend!

This LOVELY card is from Sandra De of WOYWW - thank you!!
As you can see much bounty from WOYWW-ers. Neet's ATC came after date of last posting ATC's I was unwell at time and so it did not get posted on blog .. but love the shimmery sheen of iridescent colours on this atc so cute! Clever fan ATC is by Sandra De as is the first card up above. Top beautifully made two ATC are by RosA as is the card with die cuts!
My desk.. last week at kitchen sink! Distress ink + watercoloured background - making here for card below. Watercolour paper, wet well, added smooches of pad (Pine needles, Bundled Sage, Mustard seed, Peeled paint) or reinker (Shabby Shutters), smooch with wet cling wrap, spread colours how you like. Heat dried again, then re-wet add more ink if needed, and dry again. Then spray with Diamond Dist glimmer mist to have the lovely sheen.
Australiana Eucalyptus Blossom Ultimate crafts die
with negative die cut in card with second largest die from SB Divine Eloquence. Stamp is from Our Daily bread, Thinking of You set on snippets of card.
Two cards were two from 12 + 1 (all differ as they are all different) made for one family who lost their father and husband, made in six days last week! They are very dear to me will show rest, God willing, over the posts to come.
Similar design with water colour technique background done with DI Spun Sugar, Barn Door Red + Dusty Concord. The diecut is from snippets with Memory Box Prim Poppy, cut twice, shaped differently, with Silicon glue mount. Relief of negative die is cut with largest die in SB Petite Scalloped Ovals, small oval is cut with same die, the "With love" is embossed with similar inks.
Photo from Downunder today is the smallest baby of Eastern Water Dragon, I have ever seen!! I have seen reckon it was just hatched from its egg.. see the blade of grass with sandy grains near front on photo?..
They can grow to about three feet long, their tail is more than two thirds of their body length, when grown. Below is an image from earlier post, a larger baby, his cheeky face is peeking up from our birdbath.


I will comment as able ~ may take 'til next week but will get there :D
Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be!  
Shaz in Oz.x 
The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:1,2
Linking the two cards up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on both cards. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au. 
3. Allsorts challenge this week, "How does your garden grow?" .. and both these plants grown in Oz, especially Gumblossoms!

Friday 3 July 2015

LOVE Brilliance Inks, Garfield, WOYWW + Annie's smiles

Hullo everyone! A long time no blog seems to me? 
Sorry for silence .. will be brief !
First is a card made a while back now.. love these Brilliance inks, and the way they blend and mix on embossed pieces of any old paper is truly wonderful!
LOVE this verse too, one theLORD gave me years ago at the passing of my beloved Nanna, "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." Bible verse digi is from WAW and Nicecrane Birds digi. Also linking these two cards over to WAW or http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au. there they have some really great Bible verse Digis free every week a new one!!
Finished sheet before mounting, I used "Lightening black" gold as base then added greens, blue to it.. Embossing folder is Swirl EF was done with my 8" x 8" folder, which I cut down to fit in Big shot.

Here is what the Lightening black golden sheen is like with just few swipes of this pad.

Then added three inks to it, but think like first one best? however this would go really well with roses in bowl digi I have!! Although rather late am linking this over to the workdesk post of our wonderful Julia of WOYWW ( see here  Julia's Stamping Ground,) for What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday.. or Friday! :D Oh and will show some more things, God willing, on next WOYWW post as managed to catch up with RosA, down in the big smoke yesterday after my dr's visit .. what  treat it was ... a fellow crafter wearing her WOYWW badge! and our meeting is all courtesy of this wonderful thing called WOYWW!
Okay, so Garfield-loving also mad keen sky-diver nephew had  birthday in June. Digi is courtesy of Google search, paper is SU disc.and used some snippets on this card and one above - YAY!!! so jumping across to Di's snippets playground first time for yonks!
Aren't the colours in these flowering brommeliads simply stunning? Enough to make anyone smile! God's creation sometimes simply takes your breath away.
 

Also for Annie's Fridays smiles (link over here) the laughing Jackass or Kookaburra, this fellow was snapped through the laundry window sitting on clothes line but did not hang around for better shot, love the turquoise blue highlights on edge of their wings.
Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be!  

I will comment as able, may take while but will get there :D

Shaz in Oz.x

"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."
 Psalm 29:11
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