WOYWW Organising Stamps + Baby Cards

Good day one and all! a big happy WOYWW!

.. or What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over at Julia's "Stamping Ground" blog and please do join us all. 
Only one more week and it will be the fourth anniversary for this magnificent world wide blog hop.

I also say am thinking of all those suffering in big storms in Oklahoma, USA - praying for God's comfort and their needs to be met.

 

My desk in view - but rather on the boring side! Cataloging my 20+ years of stamps is continuing, but on the downhill run, phew!!! All wooden done, unmounted rubber-stamps folder done, just clear some sets left. Stamping all in one colour ink.

Wooden are quicker than unmounted - have a method for cleaning them, as it takes forever otherwise. I have the stamp cleaner with soapy side then drier side the old teatowel, with an old towel underneath the lot!

Have some stamped several times in a number of categories eg Seaside, Male, Scene stamps, etc. and really it is doing this which makes me frustrated as end up re-stamping some after having stamped them once, as add a category - like added "Silhouettes" yesterday! I hopefully will have them added to a loose leaf folder by next week. 

Oh, will have to find time to make some celebratory ATC's before then too!!

Here are two baby cards too with LOTV images on desk some weeks back, these were made before cataract surgery.

For those wondering, was yesterday given a good report from eye specialist - thanks LORD - thanks for prayers and kind thoughts all of you. I go for eye test tomorrow :D with corrected glasses a week after that. Recipes for cards below.

To close here the Aussie photo today -

 
Our huge red Hibiscus is flowering magnificently - called the Emperor of Japan, enjoying a drink today from our very welcome rain.

Haven't been down there lately but from last week our local beach five mins from here, so lovely, we are very blessed.

Happy WOYWW!

May God bless your day everyone, thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat - will try and comment as much as able, Shaz in Oz.x

Recipe:

Card 1 Folder Cuttlebug -  Small hearts from Love set, Cuttlebug Vintage Corner, LOTV image set discontinued, LOTV greetings set, Spellbinders Square set, and lace from stash

card 2 Folder Cuttlebug - Baby, LOTV image set discontinued and LOTV greetings set, Spellbinders Square set.

I would like to enter these cards in following challenges:

•  Words Art Wednesday - Anything goes card 1
• Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes card 2 
• Allsorts Challenge - True blue card 1 
• Simply create Too - Anything Goes card 1

WOYWW + Yellow Red Black OSA Challenge - Plastic Wrap Ink variation

(warning ~ picture heavy, etc.)
 Hullo there everyone.
Before go further just want to announce that finally did the promised PanPastel post down below - so if you want to see it please scroll down or click here - have methods + tips there.

Well, another big BLINK!! and here we are ready for another mid week blog hop on WOYWW, starting over at our hostess’ Julia’s blog - to all the wonderfully inspiring desks around the world. Come and join in the fun at Julia's Stamping Ground!  Having some wonderful inky fun here .. over at OSA Card Layout Challenges
they have a colour challenge using  Red, Yellow Black.  
Desk 1 - the night before. I was playing the Barbabra Gray Plastic wrap method - but changed it ( see here for original method)
I used gloss card as she did but use Distress inks not dye (as best red and black were DI). Did not brayer but added the ink onto gloss card straight from pad, covering most of white gloss card randomly - adding more red than yellow.
I laid down the water-spritzed crumpled up cling wrap, evening out the colour spread, removing any bubbles. Left it then removed plastic after five mins of drying (not completely dry, just partially). Resulting in no wrinkles as with proper method - the colours, because they were DI, become quite washed out when dry. But have just covered the dry sheets again with neat yellow ink from pad, it then popped all back to life, as seen below

  desk 2.Here they are dried - to left of desk working out the stamped images am going to use, as you can see the end result is softer and almost natural looking.

late 1990's, discontinued but the small unmounted peace Kanji (middle far right) is from Artneko stamps. Two wooden stamps are from Australia in
Wanted a feature embossed piece. Lightly spritz the black card before embossing to get deeper impression, but heat dried it before wet embossing (Sizzix leaves - Embossing Folder) with black card. Used Versamark and red embossing powder, had to double emboss to cover surface area with the lovely molten gloss. 

Here are the two finished cards - first is plainer, has rounded corners (as suddenly found my punch :D from Fred Aldous, Man. UK ) + handmade paper from Paperchase, also in Manchester, UK :D

This one has the EK Success arrow punch on side and few other features.

Will close with our local scene down at our creek (5 mins from here) near the railway bridge. Notice the two surf skis to right in distance, they are standing up think they will be sitting down when they hit the rougher water near the mouth of the creek in the distance.

May God bless you day everyone, thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and chat ~  and a very happy WOYWW!
Shaz in Oz.x 

PS. Sorry, for next two weeks return commenting is still limited, but won't be long now!

I would like to enter these cards in following challenges:

•  Words Art Wednesday - Anything goes card 1
• Stampin Sensations May Challenge - Embossing - dry or wet - enter card 2
• Anything goes challenge blog - Shaped but not square - enter card 1

PanPastel ~ Tutorial, Tips + Ideas

Hullo there everyone,

I have as some of you know this year had a certain birthday (ah, 21! you're so right! :D) and there were some extra special items received called PanPastels (PP).

Thought long and hard about investing in getting these but after conversing with B. or Brenda of Floral Fantasies, was convinced in the end of their merits. She does such lovely work with them and that is what sparked my interest (see here and here) and so did Eileen of Eileen's Crafty Zone - see here and here...

Now I am rather like B. in my use of PP, rather than how Eileen works with them. Eileen seems to go more often for the ultra bright use of them, and B. for scenes, backgrounds, etc. I like to apply them into everyday use.

 I thought would cover few things here, as I  could not find much info when researching, apart from help from Brenda.

Colour Choice:
Brenda said to go for your own choice, not sets and to  buy a dark and light of tones. That is mostly what I did as well as some neutrals. 

In choosing colours just remember you can use other colouring mediums with them. I have used the S.U chalks and Do-craft sets; also I recently mixed dye inks and the PP in colouring.

My motto is "TRY and SEE if it works", as usually it seems too. They are very, very versatile. I was worried about not having enough colours BUT as they blend so well this hasn't ever been a problem.

I chose the any 5 pans for £20.00,  from Oyster Crafts in UK. This Brenda said was the best deal she had found, and I agree. Post cost in UK is free, post cost to Australia was way over budget, so I had it sent to my UK family -> they posted it onto Oz (with my Greek slippers :D). 

As it was going to be one off purchase for me, I chose the 20 pans, plus tray & "Sofft" tools.

Sponges: I like the flat shaped sponges best (using the flat of edge to spread colour), not so much the round flat set, but do use tool for fine areas.

Below have used the Sofft sponge and makeup sponge at front of desk, for comparison.

Brenda said to get the Sofft sponges as they are much denser than regular makeup sponges. I agree but found it curious the makeup sponge (bottom purple line) was just as good as the Sofft sponge for them. I think it is easy in short uses; but long uses would become more difficult as looses shape easily.

Paper:
 Used above smooth paper, with white embossed French Script background stamp, four colours (at right) to match the image. Actually find almost all paper types work well with PP, so down to personal choice.

 This is linen cardstock with Stampscapes scene ~ stamped first, then coloured with PP.

 Laying down colour:

Colouring is important, working in same way as with brayer is helpful. I use, if doing large area like in the embossed French script background, a light shade as base coat over whole area, then it is much easier to blend with other colours to achieve desired shade.
Darker colours are sometimes rubbed off on scrap paper before adding to mix. You can rub them out but better if dont have to do it,

My father is an artist (see his work here and here), and he often starts canvases with an application of white oil paint (titanium white) on the whole of the canvas before building up his scenes.

Stamp before or afterwards?

Colour Spellbinder shape with PP, then stamped below, with black Archival ink

I could not find any clear help on this question, so have tried both ways, and think mostly afterwards is best.

 When I brayer usually stamp after brayering unless it has masking but with pastels found if you stamped image then coloured you loose some definition. Now some night like the softer look but not sure I do.

card 1 - with flower stamp from Scripture by Design, card sent to a Missionary friend in P.N.G, a good Bible verse for us all. "He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.".

The cards above and below is inked after colouring with pastels. The small sample linen Stampscapes scene card is inked before, so I will let you choose.

card 2 - published before so not entering it in challenges

To seal pastels, or not to seal? 

Usually I do prefer to set the pastels only because I like the look better - just spray several light sprays of hairspray (which Eileen suggests and uses). 

I also use Diamond Glimmer Mist for the light frosted look which I love.

However I think Brenda says she does not.

 See this post here for details on how this card on left was made with smooth paper, PP and Penny Black image.

Well, everyone I do hope this answers your queries on this matter - if any have more queries please ask, as tried to cover the queries which I had.

I will return comment, as much as able again - thanks for your patience :D you are really appreciated!

Thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and chat ~ and may God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x
PS I would like to enter the Flower card in following challenges:

•  Words Art Wednesday - Anything goes card 1
• Stampin Sensations May Challenge - Embossing - dry or wet - enter card 1
• Anything goes challenge blog - Shaped but not square - enter card 1
• Without Words challenge - Flower for May - card 1

 Edit: Suggestion of using PP with Versamark (with a stamp or) with Plastic wrap was left by comment from "UKMaryanne" on another post, so sharing it here:

scrappystickyinkymess (http://scrappystickyinkymess.wordpress.com/) 

I have to admit to a real fondness for plastic wrap as a crafting tool. Have you tried this? Scrunch p a bit, and tamp it onto a Versamark pad, then onto the cardstock. Before it dries totally but after it's not too "wet", dust on the Pan Pastels. Looks really pretty!

Happy Anniversary ~ Vellum 3D + Muted Bamboo Artneko

Hullo there everyone!
I did this 3D card ages ago and always adored it - bought the set at the craft fair in Brisbane about 4 years ago. It was set of four by Romak cards in 3D. I have done them all, but not blogged as yet.

 As I was not well when a 30th wedding anniversary came up, I decided to use this one and add the stickers for 30th, etc. Hand embossed the vellum window of card, with embossing tool and simple grid pattern.

To see how to do more on 3D work look on this post here...

This second photo is for me more than anyone else, as was interested to see how I mounted this one ie what size mini squares used and just how. As really liked how this came off.
Here is another card I did a while ago now... I made it as present for my sister as like to give cards away as gifts!
You can see the method of doing the coloured background is the method with cling plastic wrap and ink by Barbara Gray.

The sheet of SU gloss card was coloured with method shown on above link then stamped with Hero arts Linen look background stamp inked it light grey London Fog, the stamped with the Artneko Muted Bamboo with calligraphy banner stamp in Ranger jet black Archival ink, mounted on black card with a coin from Affleck's in Manchester, UK stash with linen thread.. how loved that shop when there. The gorgeous Japanese washi paper was from "Paperchase" in Man. city, UK also.
I would like to enter this card in Di's Snippets Challenge over at the Playground woo hoo! 
The main piece of this card was in my snippets drawer for few weeks, with no idea what to do as there was blot in wrong spot but decided to trim it; hence used in odd shape and really makes it.

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek and chat, I will return comments as able still two weeks till new glasses...  

May God bless your day wherever you may be.

 Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to enter these in the following challenges:

•  Words Art Wednesday - Anything goes
• Stampin Sensations May Challenge - Embossing - dry or wet - enter card 1
• Anything goes challenge blog - Shaped but not square - enter card 2
• Papertake Weekly - Anything goes - card 2
• Without Words challenge - Flower for May - card 1

WOYWW, Christmas Card Upcycle + Sooty Oystercatcher

(Warning - Picture heavy post)

Good afternoon everyone - yes, probably a different time where you are, but hey! one gorgeous afternoon in autumn here!

If you want to come to Oz ~ come in autumn take a look at this ~ down at our harbour!

Boat in harbour - on zoom, from below spot.

 Full zoom to waters edge ~  on the sand with the seagulls is a Sooty Oystercatcher - the black bird in the centre, with the orange red beak, so long and useful (see more info here) feeds on molluscs and crabs etc. fascinating part of God's creation, aren't they? 

Also some lovely flowers in bloom out the front, the grevillea "Birdsong" - called thus because the birds love its nectar, often has blooms which are tendril-ed with juicy delight.

Okay ~ where is WOYWW (What is on YOUR Workdesk Wednesday) you say?

Here 'tis -  please do pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground to join the rest of the crew and learn some things, have a few smiles along the way.

Doing some Christmas cards 'cos way behind schedule on them, and the ones being done dont need fine details, still few weeks before new eye glasses. 

PanPastels with nativity scene done ages ago but not carded up yet, two finished cards, with left over chalks dies etc., from making them. ... plus two monkey say hi as well..

Here is an Upcyplcled card made into two step by step:

One square card saved by rellies from last year - have cut in half to make two cards..

 Card Recipe - Large CB Snowflake Embossing folder, white + purple snippets, ribbon and EK Success arrow punch, bottom one have ODB stamp from Christmas set.

Used PanPastels and SU chalks on greeting above to get right colour.

YES ~ you can mix them. My motto is try and see if it works (within reason of course). Usually you can do things even if some folk say you cant.. or should not.

I will comment as much as able again - thanks for your patience :D you are fab!

Thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and chat ~ and may God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to enter these cards in the following challenges:

1. Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Use a Sentiment - both ave a sentiment.

2. Hazelnut's extra Challenge - Anything Goes

3. Di's Snippets Challenge as mainly snippets in cards.

Penny Black Stickeroos~ aka Di of Pixie's Playground

First card is a Stickeroo card made some time ago and not blogged 

.. this is using same Stickeroo as Di did over here and she reminded me I had not blogged it yet! very different really like her take with the script and the use of white on it.. 

They puzzled me a little, was not sure how to use this particular lot!

So here is my first effort with Fleur De Lis Spellbinders, Spellbinder greetings 3 + snippet card stock and pearls.

Having seen Di's I became all inspired to play with my PanPastels and some ink and stamp on soft smooth card snippet. Above is embossed SU French Script background as did not have paper like Di, so tried making some. 

Used the four colours shown in PanPastels to get that colour ~ laying down first the softest colours, adding lightly and mixing with foam applicator there on left onto card. 
It really was fun. 

Like the brayering I find if you lay down a base colour first they work really well in blending and dont grip colour badly. I am doing a PP tutorial, I will post soon too.

Here is my take on Di's card..

 I printed out the stickeroo image after making a digi image from the Stickeroo above, and made two different, sizes both smaller than PB Stickeroo, which is quite large. 

You dont quite get the lovely gloss of the Stickeroo, but otherwise really good  on a regular printer and card. You just carefully line it up and copy it through twice on high resolution (Canon Inkjet used). Cuttlebug Script folder used also.

Photos taken in courtyard garden.

Then I could not stop! here is the card I made for my sister's birthday tomorrow. I had an extra image left over and some snippets of the embossing in white cut in strips. I didn't want to waste them. So here is a triptych background with a few additions (spellbinder butterfly and SU punch greeting stamped).

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek and chat! I really appreciate your comment, and will reciprocate as able ~ may God bless your day wherever you may be!

Shaz in Oz.x
I would like to enter:

Dis Snippets Challenge for this week... off to play!! in the playground maybe gently on the swings will be okay :D

Stamping Sensation May Challenge Embossing and TexturePenny Black Saturday May Challenge Anything Goes  

 Word Art Wednesday challenge ~ Anything goes.  

LOTV Bears with Ribbon and Lace

Hullo there everyone, just very quick post with cards made a while ago before eye surgery. 

I had these LOTV images on my desk (dont you love them?? I do!).

These are two of the results; the others were made into baby cards not shown yet.  The images were on their sheet of six, no longer available as such sadly but images still are in other ways.

Used my spellbinder hexagons for both cards, recipes below.

Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, I will comment as able but I really thank you for taking time to chat!
May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x
I would like to enter Card 1 in:
1. LOTV Thursday Challenge @ Lili's fairies Lace - MS punch lace edge.

2.Word Art Wednesday challenge ~ Anything goes.  
3. Penny Black Saturday May Challenge Anything Goes 

Card 1:
Both Cards ~ Spellbinder Hexagons, plain and scalloped edge. 
Forever friends "Petal Pattern" embossing folder.
Cuttlebug greeting "Thanks" from Olivia alphabet
Marth Stewart Shell  Punch edge with pearls, and ribbon in ribbon binding (oh, I love that sort of ribbon).
Card 2:
Cuttlebug Love set (disc.) embossing folder
Taylor  Eyelet Border die
Ribbon from "Joyce, across the Pond" love it too! thank you, dear friend!
Snail embellishment from Afflleck's in Manchester.

Rose of Sharon, Pineapple Growing Update + WOYWW

Hullo everyone, Wednesday again!! So WOYWW post (What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday) over with our Julia @ Stamping Ground. 
Not much to show for the crafty side except card already made before cataract surgery last week (going well, thanks for prayers/ thoughts, MUST be patient in healing process :D).
Our autumn is just amazing, stunning days as the photos show, our garden is in view.

First a flower named after me, (Sharon, well not quite) called Rose of Sharon. This name is loosely used for many plants, including bulb plant mentioned in Song of Solomon in the Bible.  Ours is tall, about 12 foot.

 Yes, that is how blue our skies are we are very, very blessed.. about 15 - 25c for our autumn days.

 Here are links to help with what we in Oz commonly call Rose of Sharon, is of Hibiscus family - see links:

Don Burke, the Aussie definition  and  Hibiscus Mutabilis 

It opens white, turns pink to rose red, then the tight curled up rose red bud drops on the ground.

  Also thought that should update the Pineapple growing  here - just to refresh you memory on previous two posts - see here and here, was palnted from top of shop bought fruit.

Photo 1: 6th Feb. 2013

Photo 2: 6th march 2013

It is of the Brommeliad family, for those who did not see the previous posts -link here.

Photo 3: Then we have it 27th April 2013, 7 weeks later and it is nearly the full 30cm or 12 inches. Wont get much bigger - just ripen on bush.

Well, a snippets card here - funny how you have stash for simply ages then come across it and think YES! ideas pop into mind. 

A little Robin said to another Robin....
Well, this  is one. I finally used up these two feathered robins, so cute, bought few years ago, realised the border was the perfect match, also for ages neglected. 
Tree was my own construct out of scrap+ Pan pastels to get the lovely texture on colouring (lost on photo). Leaves a Martha Stewart punch, bought pre-punched on eBay + Distressed Strips Cuttlebug folder. My friend's birthday card, her name is Robin so very appropriate ... off to play in the Snippets playground! wahoo!
Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, may God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x
PS. I will comment as able struggle with some as they will not magnify, or have black backgrounds.
I find its really the hardest. not sure why.
 I highlight the page in blue so writing is white and background is blue then can read them so much easier..  even if pickies look a little weird :D

"Wonderfully Made" + Brayered Embossing Folder ~ Budding Vine

 Hullo there everyone, I thought I would take the time to share the blessing of comfort from the LORD..

Last Monday 22.4.13 I had cataract eye surgery as many know. I found this verse on the day of the surgery, on our daily calendar ~ a real blessing. Lying on the operating table, I was marvelling at not only what man can do; but most of all of the wonder the human body, formed and created by God. 
 Marvellous that part of an organ can be plucked out and another put in, accept it and works so well in time.

                  This verse has always meant lot to me as for years in my youth I was very bitter that the LORD had not done what I thought was "a better job on making me". As a teen I really struggled with it - but one day in my twenties the LORD taught my heart the real wisdom God had - "His ways are not my ways". I now could say and mean it: " My lips shall praise thee, O LORD, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..and this my soul knoweth right well".. and mean it with all my heart. God's way IS best.
This time waiting for my eye to heal and to have glasses that work for close vision again ( in 4 more weeks) I have time to appreciate afresh how vital vision is, as are all our senses. I really do love the magnifier on the computer.
  I pray for all who have vision issues. My aunt has macular degeneration, almost blind now and regularly pray for her with it.

I would also like to share this poem from Abby's of "Little Birdee Blessings" blog:

My Lord and I

I have a Friend so precious, so very dear to me.

He loves me with such tender love, He loves so faithfully.

I could not live apart from Him, I love to feel Him nigh.

And so we dwell together, My Lord and I.
 .....

Sometimes I'm faint and weary, He knows that I am weak.

And as He bids me lean on Him, His help I gladly seek;

He leads me in the paths of light, beneath a sunny sky.

And so we walk together, My Lord and I.
 .....

He knows how much I love Him, O that I loved Him well;

But with that love He loveth me, My tongue can never tell;

It is an everlasting love, In ever rich supply,

And so we love each other, My Lord and I.

~ Author Unknown

Brayered Embossing Folders - Budding Vine shown on both cards. Some time ago now these cards were made an sent off. They appeared in part on my desk ( see back here on this post here), the post describes methods used.  recipe below.
I thank you all for popping over, making my day by commenting and most of all for your thoughts and prayers. Still not actually commenting much, but will do my best. May God bless your day wherever you may be and lift your hearts to see His marvellous work.
love Shaz in Oz.x

Recipes card 1 + 2:

Craft Concepts Embossing Folders - Budding Vine

Stampin up ink + brayer with Glimmer Mist Diamond

Die-namics crotchet  border die 

Spellbinder Scallop de with hand cut highlight edge

Ribbon Girl flowers. 

Stampabilties stamp, Psalm 91:1 "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty."
I would like to link this over to:
Word Art Wednesday 
Our Daily Bread - Cherish God's creation
Abby of Little Birdee Blessings

K Kingdom + Marianne Butterflies ~ Snippet Note + Thank You card...

Hullo there everyone!

I saw on Myrna's blog a while ago now some note cards and that set me off - here are hers which were the inspiration, and were made last month. 

I  needed some note cards and thank you cards so they were perfect! Made quite a few thank you cards, plus a birthday card. 

 They were perfect for using up snippets, with the butterflies and the scallop on greetings, with ribbon to match. 

The folder is Leaves and Butterfly K Kingdom folder also used here and brayer with the Marianne dies of the small butterflies.

As this is snippet's cards am linking over Miss to the Snippets playground.. :D think will just scape in the gate before lock up!

 

My first post after cataract surgery on Monday 22nd, so I want to let kind folk who were thinking and praying for me that things are proceeding just as they ought. if I take it slow ans steady :D all goes well. 

Still cant read close up well but suspect that wont happen till can go for new glasses four weeks after surgery, so towards end of May. Computer magnifier is a treat!

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x