Sunshine, Hunca Munca and WOYWW!

Bit late for WOYWW today as had not time before heading up the coast 30 mins to spend the day with Brisbane rellies who were down – and great time was had by all! now after 7pm here!

 For anyone who may not know what WOYWW is please head across to our gracious hostess, Julia’s, blog for a great viewing world wide of desks on display!

Now to the business end and my desk – here you can see it is quite littered and is even more than this but there are things for viewing later so I’ve cut them out.

 

There is card in lower left almost completed from the lovely papers, bling, lace, ribbons, buttons etc. from Elizabeth’s amazing bounty shown here on right. I decided to save it for Christmas morning as knew most of my gifts and so very nice to get a surprise – here it is in all its beauty!

 

 

Here is the card which have made from it – first one and sending it to my dear friend in Wollongong, who loves Beatrix Potter – this is Hunca Munca the ever so cute mouse for those not familiar with it. I have seen Miss Potter's farm up in the Lakes District, a beautiful part of UK. One stunning clear autumn day in 2009. Had a pork pie sitting on the seat outside her wee farmhouse – loved her bedroom, and bay window with seat – what was so lovely they had the pages of her books open at the parts of her home which featured in the  pictures of the books – spent ages in there drinking it all in! For those wanting to know, the Fleur de Lis Spellbinder is the mount for Hunca Munca.

So thanks very much dear friend Elizabeth  - and anyone who wants to see her amazing card it is on the bottom of this post here.

And yes! here is the weather in Oz, where I live – lovely sunny weather for each of the days. Here is my beach walk or part thereof with folks enjoying a late afternoon on Boxing Day. In top shot it is people swimming in the water not ducks!

Thanks for popping over every one for a peek and chat – may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz. x

PS. For all those who love doing scenes like with Stampscapes or any other such scene stamps there is a new place to share - a new challenge blog called Craft A Scene and it's now up and running!
Head on over for a visit.  They are currently looking for Design Team members and followers that will actively participate in challenges, tutorials and more. 

Wise Men Seek Him Still

Wise Men Seek Him Still

Wise were the Magi who travelled so far to seek,

To see the King of which the Star did speak

That first Christmas they rejoiced to see that star,

It did guide them safely as they travelled afar.

The angels sang of a Saviour and God, Who was born,

And the Shepherds found Him that first Christmas morn.

It is of the Babe Jesus the star spoke and angel’s chorus did sing

He was born and died and rose again, Salvation for us to bring

O, let us seek the True Saviour, the Babe Jesus, Who loves us all

T’was for us, a Loving Saviour waits for us today on Him to call.

Shaz in Oz.  ~ 29.11.11

Every year I write little poem to go inside my cards (to my shame, I have yet to calligraph it in) - computer generated sadly - one day, God willing, I may be super organised .maybe do it in July or something as a template..mm, that's an idea now.. .

This was this year's poem and one of my brayer cards - see here for card method

My spiritual birthday (when I came know the LORD Jesus) is coming up soon (4th Jan) and it is very near here - down near the beach. It was through a Christian Beach Mission (CSSM - they were called) down at the beach where we were camping. We, little kids and then bigger kids, all went every year. I walked at this spot today, it is always special to me. You can see photos, etc. on this post here.

I started at CSSM when I was four, and still have my first prize book when I was four, it is called "God Loves Me"... and yes, He does! Sometimes we forget that God Loves Us - just the way we are - praise Him for His never-ending love.

His Love sent His only Son as a baby..and come let us come and celebrate this Love  - and if we have not yet been like the Wise Men, THEN let us seek the King - the King of Kings, the LORD Jesus Christ, let His coming not be in vain for you.

To each of my Wonderful Encouragers I want to say a huge thank you - you mean so very, very much to me - but not as much as you mean to God ....  and please never forget that. 

 I am thinking of another candy soon - maybe in some months to come, but when a certain milestone is reached, will let you know - may even give a whisper of it before hand ....mm.....maybe something to do with numbers.. perhaps?..

And last but not least a VERY Big welcome to the latest Wonderful Encouragers - I am calling her little Raindrop, and you will see why when you visit her blog - a newbie at blogging so do go along and encourage her. awesome felt work there - and also to Pauline another Aussie and English May at That Craft Place - so welcome  thanks for spreading a little Goodwill of the Season... 

Love, Peace and Goodwill to ALL,

Shaz in Oz.x

What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday

{{Addendum:  A Big welcome to my latest follower Julie, a fairly new blogger - do take a peek at her lovely blog.  Also another newbie at blogging, doing a great job and needs some encouragement - Debbie, her lovely blog is here she has joined WOYWW but not many folk have joined her on the hop - thanks so much for sharing a little Goodwill at this time}}

Happy WOYWW or What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday everyone. 

If you would like to join a very merry band of crafty folk on the world's biggest desk hop then pop over to our hostess Julia's beaut blog for a peek!

 What is happening here?  

Well, actually it is really what has happened here, as the table out there is cleaned up again! Getting ready for present wrapping and all those sorts of things. Yes, thankfully all the cards sitting on my desk  last week WOYWW are posted or given out - last lot went on Monday. 

 Desk hopping was neglected last week and am trying to catch up - if have missed any one, which I know I have, I am terribly sorry, will do better this week hopefully!

Anyway what was I making on this desk - some of you will no doubt think I have totally lost the plot, but I'm making Christmas cards!!

You see, I have had this idea humming in my head for a Christmas card - but did not have time to do it. I do all my cards by end of November so I can get to the big task of getting them all off with less drama - cannot cope with doing them any later. I made my first one for this year here -  it was on the same day last year! I gave it to my dad this year. I have posted the two cards already, for more details, etc look below or here. I have also posted the post on papyrus calligraphy, which I spoke of last week as my friends have received it.

I wonder what sort of Christmas dinner you will be having?

Do you know how many hot Christmas dinners I have had in my life? One, when I was eight years old! my Yorkshire grandmother in Tamworth NSW, cooked us a hot Christmas dinner. Until I was twenty one I had spent every Christmas dinner except that one in a tent. We went camping down where I live now at the beach, til we moved here - why not, with this view five minutes walk from here?

So every year back then, we had an extra posh salad - and really that is what we do now! This year with barbequed lamb instead of cold meats. Not everyone here are like us - but lots are and seafood also makes a very big appearance on an Aussie Christmas dinner table.

May the Lord bless you all richly this Christmas, as we take time to remember the One after whom this season is named - God bless and HAPPY CHRISTMAS,

Shaz in Oz.x

PS. Well, such great excitement is here!! woo hoo!  just had postie at the door

Look what she has brought! a wee (well, really a big parcel) parcel all the way from bonnie Scotland! Elizabeth  Silver Scrapper's very, very yummy candy has arrived - look at this so very awesome card on it with lovely wishes inside - wow! how very blessed am I? You see my Blogaversary candy was drawn on 30.11.11 and so was Birthday candy of Elizabeth's. In the week my candy was drawn I won two (other is on last weeks post) and have never won blog candy before - so there you go. I am going to open it for Christmas and if you want to know what is in it look here! Great details on her tartan multiple die cuts card, aren't there?

Cant stay on here long now as have 5 stitches in right forearm (mm, pity am right handed), the skin cancer doctor did some cutting out, and rather sore!

Papyrus Work of Isaiah 19:20-21 - God's promise to Egypt

For first term in our Calligraphy class this year we were doing Egyptian script and work on papyrus, and Copperplate as well. I did not do a project on Copperplate; however I did do this one on papyrus.

 Papyrus as explained by Wikipedia is a thick paper like material produced from the pith of the papyrus plant, Cyperus papyrus, a wetland sedge that was once abundant in the Nile delta of Egypt.

The funny thing is the plant is growing in our yard - through the fence with our neighbour's - it is kept chopped back. I did not realise that is what it is! 

 I really love this passage I chose to do in dip pen on  papyrus (a rather difficult medium). As we were doing Egyptian script I decided to look up this great promise of the LORD to the people of Egypt, and do it. Here below it is in the preliminary stages.

The great thing in all this is that this occurred before the Arab spring and the rising up of the people of Egypt. God in His foreknowledge laid it on my heart in early March, 2011, when I began it.
Now in spite of all changes made, sadly we see the ongoing oppression in Egypt of Christians by the current government. 

So the prophetic promise continues to live the truth out in real time – how great is our wonderful LORD and His precious Word, and His promises to His faithful ones.
 And how much greater it will be when this prophecy comes to pass.

Isaiah 19:20,21

[20] And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
[21] And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, ....

As you will see I have not done all of it, but the main part - this originally was simply an exercise and not a proper piece of work, and I had finished it all except for the colouring of the Egyptian borders (which I found online).
If I had realised I was going to give it as a gift I would have spent much more effort in the execution of the work. I had to do the coloured painting for our Calligraphy class Show and Tell last Monday week and as I was painting ten days ago I was suddenly hit afresh with the great hope in these words and thought how it would bless the hearts of my very dear friends up north of me, who are Egyptian Coptic Christians.
They long for this day and so I posted it to them the very next day after our Show and Tell. I know they have received it and so can post this now. Again I was so very sorry it was not a better work - but God's word is still so very sweet no matter how it is presented. That can never be taken away.

Matthew 24: 35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Let us urgently and fervently pray for these dear ones in  Egypt, and all who are oppressed by those who do not love LORD.

Shaz in Oz.x

Red and White with Crafty Individual Stamps

I know that many of you might be all Christmas “card-ed” out by now – but I am not. You see, by December I have made all my cards, as I stagger them throughout the year. I have not made one for over a month now. Also as have not crafted much this month, I had to play with my stash – this for me is brief lull between Christmas day and when most things have been organised that can be before then. So here is the card I was talking of last week at WOYWW!

A lovely stamp, the Crafty Individual Bird Postcard Unmounted stamp, was masked so only centre was stamped.

Then coloured with Stampin’ Up Chalks, and mounted on Spellbinder Petite ovals. The other stamp greeting is also partially stamped and is from Crafty Secrets Clear Stamp Set - Rose on bargain bin sale at present at Fat Cats- great buy! It was mounted on Rectangle Spellbinder and Fancy labels 2. I  am entering this card in the Less is More Challenge - it has lots of white and not much bling and the criteria this time is Music, so hopefully it is CAS enough! 

Used pearly card embossed with 5 x 7"Cuttlebug Allegro embossing folder for the base.

I really like use of stamps not actually Christmas ones, but adaptable to be so.

I also made a second card with the Nellie Snellen ovals and the masked bird stamp, also Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder and a Christmas greeting saved from stash off Christmas table last year. Be on look out for shiny paper on bonbons and other such treasures to save – you cant beat such free treasure troves!

May God bless your day wherever you may be and thanks so much for popping over for a look and a chat.

Shaz in Oz.x

Celtic Uncial Script, Blog candy + happy WOYWW!

Well how the days are rattling past and I simply don’t have time to be on here, but had to come and share the good news from the postman today – to show you my desk today.

 I am not sure how many of you have ever won Blog candy, but here is my very first lot (was I ever excited when I discovered - woo hoo!!). It is from a blog of a very dear friend I have made – Brenda of Floral Fantasies – this dear lady is not at all well, yet bravely blogs heaps more than I ever do and her cards are also amazingly inspirational – her blog is full of learning if you want to go over there and explore her blog sidebar.. 

And every month she has the most amazing candy. I think I met her in January this year, may have been through another blog. In Jan 2011 I won my one other item on Allsorts Challenge - Anything Goes -  a set of Letraset pens, and Brenda sent those to me then!

This lot was a recycling candy, with some unmounted stamps (oh, I have always wanted some of the Popcorn bear ones, and now I do :D), papers, ribbons, bling, etc. and even one of her very own made wee gift cards, isn't it so lovely? I love her minute detail like the flower in vellum, what an amazing person – thanks so much B.!  

Also on the table you can see all the cards I should be writing in and my Christmas letter. The Crafty Individuals stamp of the post card birds also peeping in lower left of desk! 
I have a card in my head I simply want to put on paper and hopefully will get to use this stamp in next few days. Also have another post to do on papyrus project but cannot post this till person has received it, maybe after Christmas, God willing - so watch this space!

In right bottom left of desk is my project for this term at calligraphy of the Celtic capital with Uncial script – illumed with gold leaf. The red card is a Stampin Up embossing folder lattice (I think – love this one) and then the Layered Arches punch by Martha Stewart.

For those of you who would love to join in the fun of looking at work desks around the world, do join in the fun, and take a trip over to Julia's Stamping Ground!

Happy WOYWW everyone and not sure how many I will be able to visit. 

However, I wish you all every blessing from the Lord, as we remember His great gift of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, and thanks so much for your wonderful encouragement this year.

Thanks too for popping over for a look and a chat,

Shaz in Oz. x