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
Well, blink and tis almost month’s end! Today is also Australia Day. Certainly sunshine meant a good beach day, but not for me. I will say though I love Australia & believe I’m most blessed of God to live where I do!
The beautiful folder is a NBUS Altenew beautiful bergenia 3D EF (a link here) but kinda my technique. Technique done many times but this time I tried it Distess Oxides just to see if it worked. As desk shows I did lots of scraps in the many shades. THEN tried DOX after using the dye inks.
Technique- smooch all over top surface of EF with chosen ink, inked three times, and emboss each time, without shifting the folder on bottom side.
I also lightly water spritzed the last smooch to activate the oxide, pop the colour and even out the tones.
I chose top side to ink up but optional (I marked it too as annoyingly Altenew hadn’t labelled this one, so mix up is easy. Usually named side is top but not always).
Here are some of the cards I made back in November, and some for next months birthday, some are explained underneath.
Used DOX Duck-egg blue. Verse a digi of own creation. Favourite of Ps 37 below is DOX Lemonade. Green is Aridondack. Simon Says greeting hugs prayers, just for you, Kaisercraft I think..
The two scenes are ancient brayered pieces in my snippets drawer. Stampscapes used on NBUS EF canvas + HB stamp first outing, as is die from Scrappy Mo's Candy when had heart attack June 2020. EF is Dot Matrix, Sympathy die is Elizabeth Craft Design poss disc.?
These are two birthday cards made with TH Rock candy with DST on top of cut down old birthday card tops. Now done all Feb cards. Many male and others not shared yet. Last card, a batik technique shared link in post below, with recipe, HB is from top edger die set like the Thinking of You used on previous card.
Now to Aust photos, today truly was as beautiful as this one, taken a fortnight ago.
Second photo is bird box is a nesting box for Eastern Rosellas, one of them is at the side, waiting to pop back in box, bit blurry cos I was in a hurry, was inside, taken through door screen too. Last count four babies inside, fluffballs, not fledged yet, acc to family. They’ve had about eight couples nest in it, I think this is Ross and Ella no 8. Underneath sharing pineapple will add second photo tomorrow in daylight as it’s much bigger now..
These two stunning creations are Hibiscus Harlequin Beetles, they are sucking insects so not altogether good for the health of the plant, but I still wouldn't kill them.
It's a friend's photo in Sydney yesterday on an early morning walk, on FB. Have seen them but not common.
Many thanks for popping over especially if you have time for a chat.
God's blessing in all things,
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
Thought of the Day:
These are the verses preached on 1st Feb 1788, closest to 26th Jan 1788 when they landed. Aust is very diverse and multicultural, we are very blessed of God. Richard Johnson was the first fleet’s chaplain, he was most grateful to God for His great mercy in bringing them safely through such a long and hazardous journey.
I’m amazed at the bravery of all immigrants in all generations, including, in Bible times, Abraham who left in obedience to God’s command and he knew not whither he went.
So it is really for us all today!
We might know our name, our address, etc. but we really DO NOT KNOW what a day will bring forth - that’s why THE Anchor that these verses speak of is so VERY IMPORTANT.
A very wise servant of the Living God was the Rev. Richard Johnson, his choice was truly an Anchor for every single Australian (& for us all), no matter origins of birth, for 1788 and in 2023.
Psalm 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
4. Allsorts Challenge - Spots and/ or stripes. I think dots are also spots 😊 used the TH Dot matrix EF used on the sunset sympathy card with deer silhouette. Image die is a VERY LARGE DOT silhouette 😂. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/01/week-712.html?m=1
I really wanted to join for this first week in January’s WOYWW because this month is my 12th anniversary of joining in the beautiful blog hop around desks. As my health is poor these days the frequency is unpredictable.
And desk day is What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over HERE 😁 at Julia's .. so where’s my desk!?
I’m exploring this new technique with new to me Simon Hurley products from Christmas gifts - video here. Leaves are from Singapore Frangipani in my garden. They’re on top left of this image, adhered on page scrap with double sided tape. Three of four lunar pastes, the piece of stamping foam and my very first attempt using same colours as video. I had four colours lunar paste, stamp, stamping foam and new heat gun were two gifts from two family dear ones. Of course the photos DO NOT SHOW THE shimmery SHEEN! Buts unbelievable.
Yes, I’m hooked on this technique, I was a kid in candy shop. I did some on white card, is nice too .. but black is wonderful.
Here’s card samples in various colour ways. I’ve actually done more makes of other stamps on foam, but will share another day.
Do I like the Lunar paste? It’s brilliant for this technique… here I applied ink with small or even larger brayer as long as you get even colour for even pressure stamp. It’s a learning curve but you’ll find it a quick technique and can do loads of samples which is great.
I didn’t like it as a watercolour paint technique, so not ever doing that again.
My one try with a good TH Mosaic stencil had mixed success. It needs further investigation but the colour dried was simply extraordinary. It’s moist paste so found it required a VERY light hand with stencil.
These are cards made but didn’t photograph the ones on white card sorry and not home today.. this is my desk view… howzat?
To other Aussie Shots… in Aust on Christmas afternoon often backyard Cricket is played.
This year our budding younger cricketers roused the older ones into action, it was fun to watch!
Here’s the required beach views, with a new rose Aussie breed, ❤️ Alicia Courage, and a sunrise!
This last one is of my creek walk five mins from my place, taken two days ago, so good to see that marquee in centre.
It’s for SUFM or Scripture Union Family Mission. I was so overjoyed to see they’d come back this year after a Covid hiatus,
In the 1960's, on the 4th of Jan, as a child I prayed right here at the creek at a picnic table and trusted in Jesus as my Saviour from my sin with a teacher from the Beach Mission of my youth.
The story and photos of this day, with photos of the picnic table spot and calligraphy too, are all Here, written in 2011. Early days of this blog so probably most haven’t seen it.
This verse here is on bedroom wall. It has been pivotal in my life since 10 days in hospital Christmas/ New Year of 1984/5, one of the times I nearly died.
Much of it is mixed up memory. However this passage in Psalm 37 anchored me, I asked anyone visiting to read it to me, no natter who it was 😁 as was too sick to read.
Key is:
Commit, Trust, Rest in Him, Wait on the Lord, Fret not thyself.
It’s my anchor to my LORD GOD even today. I live with an unforgettable reality of the fragility of life. Daily I know it, as do others. This totally changes your outlook and think Covid time has emphasised it too..
Thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and a chat, you are appreciated, will do my very best to reciprocate.
At Christmas time IF the Christ of Christmas rates a mention, it is as the Babe in the Manger.
So I was delighted when I saw this 'Lamb of God' set of Beccy's (here) with this verse on it... (this card is my favourite make for 2022).
"Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world.
Let us adore Him."
In this set Beccy presents the Christ child as our Saviour Who came to take away the sins of the world 🌎..
The “Why” Christ came is the emphasis.
Christ, born to die that we might live...
These words were spoken not at Jesus' birth, but approximately 30 years later at the commencement of Jesus’ ministry by His cousin, John the Baptist.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and (John) saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
“And I saw, and bare record that this IS the Son of God.”
John 1:29, 34
John the Baptist was the Forerunner who went before our Saviour, as Isaiah says to prepare the way of the LORD (Isaiah 40:3 see here).
John was led by God’s Spirit to speak thus.
It was prophetic of WHY Jesus came and WHO Jesus was!
Two miraculous births occurred in the first Christmas story, see here in Luke 1.
The birth of John to his barren elderly mother Elisabeth (and priestly father Zecharias), and 3 months later the LORD Jesus to Elisabeth's cousin Mary, both births were miracles.
As the birth of Christ is noted, may His coming again be remembered.
Jesus Himself said in Matt 24:44
Watch “ therefore and be ye also ready, for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh."
This Christmas time I worship (and as Beccys verse says) and adore the Christ - crucified, risen, glorified and coming again, not just the Babe in a manger..
(Recipe of card - link to Beccy's Digi Lamb of God Digital set here. Printed on light card just on inkjet, used coloured image of baby Jesus, fussy cut it - I love that there is a coloured option! Folder is 3D Crafters Companion bought in 2018, dies stitched oval, inked on coloured card to speed up process, with Distress as explained in Beccy's post - inspired by Beccy's technique here. SB Royal Circle die for verse).
“Thankfulness” and “Thanksgiving” belong to Christmas, so VERY thankful Jesus came from heaven for us all.
So this is a thank you card I made for my neighbour.
Finally I cracked the Batik ink technique, first seen on Loll’s blog sometime ago. (Recipe first attempted here, this my third go, second time I forgot to random scrunch paper before inking!) all snippets used except the base card. Also used top edger thank you on this card, I forgot I had it till looking at an old blog post! It was cut out of an edge the batik inked card (used DI) as extended the inking edge past stamped floral to use for greetings.
Just closing as usual with Aussie photos.😃
The glories of God's creation on a visit to the Sunshine coast, Qld! Skyline in first two are Glasshouse Mountains and the red flowering tree is a Poinciana. Very Christmassy!
On the way home (in a small 18 seater plane) the skyline was spectacular, you could almost touch those cumulus clouds, stunning 😍 truly took my thoughts heavenwards. I so long for heaven, longer I live the greater the longing.
I trusted in Jesus as my own Saviour from my sin as a kid of 12 years down here at the beach one summer, a very long time ago.. so to me it seems it's been a long wait.
But just how much longer and how very patient is God, our Heavenly Father, Who longs that all come to faith in Jesus, and have that promise of a home in heaven.
This life is short.
Happy Christmas everyone - may God be with you wherever you maybe, sending giant prayer hugs and much love - thank you if you read this far.
Popping in with a quick post to link up this card set with a few challenges. I've made two more entries for Beccys November Bumper Card Challenge. Do join in please do, and help her break her amazing record! Also loads of prizes fun and games on offer! I love Christmas! 🎄
Also sharing a day early for WOYWW (do pop over to Julia's, tomorrow, Wednesdayfor this weeks What is On Your WorkdeskWednesday). See my desk below.. make of the stamp relief - need a soft brush white from cheap shop, toilet paper - five layers, stamp and a spray bottle.. plus usual desky extras, tape, glues and scissors peeking behind the WOYWW desk sign - a bit of red ribbon the dead give away! 😉😂😂
Now decided to try two different ways, one the same as first attempt above with shimmery paints with rub on Gold leaf, the other with paper coloured in Brushos - I found it didn't bond quite as well, possibly due to paint? so added glue where needed once trimmed it and broke original edges.
Following the technique - layer five layers one at a time, dampen with water and tamper down each layer into stamp with soft brush. Needs to dry thoroughly overnight though.
Tried the technique with a serviette but toilet paper is definitely better, more flexible into stamp for relief.
BTW Chrissie has also done this technique with Simon Hurley stamping foam and think that's interesting. It's in my Christmas present with my new heat tool - because you'll never guess what? my 28yr old Milwaukee heat tool is working just fine again - decided to try one more time before tossing! So now back using it. But new one much lighter, quieter, quicker. 😂
So here are two new ones, and last one is one shared before - not a new make. Above card is painted in various shimmer paints. #614 Card ABOVE $10 voucher RACE WINNER! See here! Yay! Thank YOU, so VERY MUCH Beccy! 😍
I painted on one below the Noel with gold Finetec paints - which I found in my clean up!
The second photo upright of brusho card is truer coloured photo. It was too bright to take it that way earlier.
Joy to World is Disc 1990s wood mount stamp - love my wood mounts! I use a stamp-ma-jig to put them in right place on card, heat embossed with Gold EP.
Next the requisite seascapes from a recent walk, and a rose photo - just 'cos spring has been amazing here this year ... very thankful! This sky on this afternoon's walk was just amazing!
The last Aussie photo is of a cactus flower, common name, lady of Night, or Epiphyllum crenatum according to Google Lens.🤔
A quick share today, do have loads more to share but must get back to writing in my Christmas cards, doing inserts, etc!
I've done overseas - AustPost said to have done by last Monday 14th - so the 21st was a week late.. praying though that God speeds them there!
Thanks so much for popping over - I really appreciate it so much! I will visit as many as I can, but iPad now blocks all bloggers except those with pop up windows comment boxes, or anonymous… found I can do it on anonymous.
May God bless you and all whom you love,
Shaz in Oz.x
Thought for the Day:
As it’s Thanksgiving in two days on Thursday, thought this Snoopy as most apt - a favourite and oft quoted scripture of mine, is:
“In everything everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I think Snoopy has it right - or maybe Charlie Brown 😃 that everything should start and end with thanks to God for all He does for us.
(Sorry for silence - give personal update at end!)😃
Be warned photo heavy post.
Okay it’s WOYWW day again ie desk day, What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over HERE 😁 at Julia's .. so where’s my desk!?
HERE is current desk… you can actually see some of it! My silence and unwellness found me doing some 2am spring cleaning. Shock, horror! I found on desk a lost die (AKA one from Miss Di of Snippets, which features thrice on this post), clear piece for Stamp-a-ma-jig, AND in box below desk, (now moved into drawer set) - MISSING - mini stamp pad from a set, a set of mini misti rules, set square, etc., 3 masks or stencils, 2 stamp sets all tiny and fell easily into said box. 🤣🤣 BUT yet to find my Pippi butterfly disc., my very favourite butterfly 🙏🙏🙏
One dead heat gun - Milwaukee from 1994, only 28 years young, cost $65 - then a small fortune in AUD. Bought in a garage craft store in a country city on North coast, till then I used my toaster. So this Monday when it suddenly didn’t go anymore mid stream, finished the embossing off on toaster 😂.
How hard it is to get any sort of heat gun here now?! 3 brands only, my choice - Couture Creations when trialled (on its way) will review. WOW heat gun sadly only in USA & UK, Wagner not available either, same as one I had. Saw video on one bought, 🙏 it looks good. Needs to be tough, mine was so well marked.
Absent since 31st Aug., almost 2 & half months lots won’t share today, another day. Today starts with “Thanks so much” by Lil’ Inkers designs die. On desk today - found in clean up, a safe spot on desk. Of course!
A prize in Snippets playground eons ago! Needed thank you cards so its first outing… on washi tape, much neglected, along with peel offs. These are snippets cards too - beauty of die cuts to use up those small white pieces under the washi. The simple scoring with neglected peel offs add a finishing touch. Die is NBUS, so popping over there too.
Snippets of vellum in background on top one, coloured with dye ink to make it stand out. EF (Hessian) is a NBUS, too UK purchase with Margaret for 25p according to ticket in the craft cheap shop in Llandudno, I love the small sentiment stamp blocks bought there too + glitter paper. Red was a snippet, a piece of embossed foil with AI sheet, made for a special card but AWOL when needed so did another, found it in clean up.
Next set of cards, a continuation from last post ink resist. Did try the batik technique with more random folding (top cards) but lost effect. Didn’t remember till after inked first time, not from very beginning. 🙄 I did some more, bottom cards, but wasn’t well then. Totally forgot to do it all.
Figure it’s not meant to be .. this set of cards sees all ladies birthday done till end of year and one needed sympathy card too. The Simon Says hugs and prayers set looks lovely with this. The happy birthday is Sue Wilson sml die set. Oh, the happy birthday stamp silver embossed is a NBUS too, it’s bought about six years or so ago at my second craft show in Brisbane. This is it below, frame of greeting Kaisercraft. Frame on main image is a CCD, background stamp Hero arts disc.
The second two cards are brushos an encouragement card and a birthday card from one piece in snippets drawer.
Must do some more as it’s emptying.
The last set of cards are sixteen Christmas cards. I must say I’m delighted when I see this year a “Christmas card” where Christ is actually included, it’s become a rarity. In 2022 is there is ‘no room for Jesus’? most of you-tube videos, new releases - eg none in Penny Black, & all but a few cards in a challenge, it’s the holly & ivy, elves, dwarfs, or trees, snowy scenes .. not against some of them as do some, too, but almost exclusively? just wonder what Jesus thinks…
On these it is with the Christ of Christmas. Di appears in this card - as this the die she sent me one Christmas as I fell in love with it, so thanks so much Di, it is up there as my very favourite Christmas die. How many did I do before I cracked the design? See to the left of pile - were actually six of 16 😂😂😂 Below - third desk shows how many die sets I went through to find the design.. and last image shows two dies I actually used, the spellbinders circle with a CCD scallop circle die to make the frame!
The brayered background (Kaleidocolor) on gloss cardstock is the quickest, easiest + most effective backdrop whether used with stamps or dies. It just looks great! Bright when done, colour lightens as dries.
Stamped greeting in Gold EP is a 1990s, yes, it cost a lot then too everything stamp wise did! Saved a year for my trip to big smoke, this one was $16AUD then. Most still have price stickers on them.
Had to fiddle with the nativity die (Nativityscape by Sugar Pea), left out one of the palms, so stable didn’t look like it was in the middle of desert. Did a double cut, ie cut front portion, moved along past second tree, added building. Okay once figured it out.
Here’s a bonus card, upcycle for my friend Robin, I always do her a robin card (with a verse of course) if able, was delighted when found this among last years cards, a beautiful sketch. I’m still about six cards short so hope to do a few more + have all done and sent by end of this month?! 🙏🙏 It has dry embossed background, though hurried photo before mailed doesn’t show it well.
Well, definitely enough cards for now.. to Aussie photos.
Loads of flowers, I’ve three dozen rose bushes, so give lots away too, two bunches yesterday.
Here are two bunches I’ve actually kept for myself.
Some seascapes, including a stunning full moon..
As it’s been a La Niña year there is a pineapple in pineapple patch on the way, they’re a bromeliad.. it has very pretty but tiny purple flowers .. here it is up close and here is the sequence. Probably ripe around March or maybe Feb.
Lastly the same parent birds as last post had a clutch of three babies again with three .. but as video description explains not much success again. For video see below or link here.
Here is a still photo, to learn more on them look at post below.
Personal update - the simplest answer for any absence is as always I’ve been unwell, still not great but getting there. An ongoing infection, severe sinusitis from mould in unrepaired section of home since late last year - but THAT is now repaired so much better thank the LORD, with other newer health issues added to my usual. Oh, I am aging too! 😂😂
Thanks so much for popping over, especially if you can stay for a chat, and may God bless you and all those whom you love.
Shaz in Oz.x
Thought for the day:
I thought this Snoopy cartoon had the right analysis on this passage.
2 Chronicles 7:12-15
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place…
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain,
or if I command the locusts to devour the land,
or if I send pestilence among my people;
If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Now mine eyes shall be open,
and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
