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

First Blogaversary Candy Draw!

(WOYWW Post below this everyone, sorry!)

Okay, now – big drum roll, please! We have a hat, we have names in that there hat and we will have a draw out of that there hat!

Ta da!! A big congratulations - the winner is:

Glenda Brooks! @ Magpie's Corner
So Glenda please contact me by email (see my profile for link to email).

I drew a spare name too in case Glenda has some of items in it and can post them on someone else.

And this draw, for those not in the know, is for a very BIG thank YOU to the wonderful Encouragers, as my blog is one year old.

 I was having a little candy as a way of a very BIG thanks to you all!

There is a verse in Proverbs 16:31 in the Bible “The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”

Well in this case, it is a hat – but the choice was left up to the all wise One, for His distribution.

 Apologies to all who do not win – it is a shame I don’t have prizes for all of you – I would so very dearly love to!
Do you like the hat? It is one from Bhutan and my dear sister brought it back for me. :D 

It has been for drink in our creek! I had to rescue it one day and had to clamber over rocks and wade into the creek to get it with the help of some Scandinavian tourists, who pushed it in the right direction for me! The special hat was looked after - the Lord cares about little and big things, especially when we take the time to commit them to Him.

So that explains why I chose it for the draw ( with Monkey and Bear to supervise).

I want to close with a very big thank you to each and every one of you for all your beautifully encouraging words on my candy draw post and over the past year - you live up to your name, you very dear WONDERFUL Encouragers. 

Thank you also for the NEW ENCOURAGER'S who have joined since then- and hope and pray you stay around and enjoy it.

May the LORD bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x
PS I close with an oil painting by my father (who is 82) of one of our local beaches.

Christmas Beetles, Owl cards and WOYWW!

As we watch this year rapidly disappearing from the scene, the Wednesdays are really running into one other – aren’t they everyone? Phew – a deep breath here to catch up!! And yes as you see by the first pickie on this post the sunny days still here – this is some para-surfing action down at our creek  mouth, about ten minutes walk from here. God's glories shine forth indeed.

I was talking a few weeks ago about our Christmas beetles making their presence felt – so here is pickie of one. 

This is the large variety, about 2cm long. There are the small brown and black ones that scratch at the wire on the windows to try and get in...  These are brown and black ones are no-where near as beautiful as this iridescent beauty. We used to have heaps of these big ones eating our gum trees but the trees were removed. Click on pickie to see him up close! It is amazing.

The second Australian native is a Eastern Water Dragon on my bird bath, about to take a dip! he is a tiny baby as these grow quite big too. 
I smiled when Vika who lives in Ukraine commented on my post a couple of weeks ago, that they have few insects over there. I cannot imagine what that would be like. 

The last nature shot is for Lisa who was talking about her Lantana she was trying to grow and keep alive through the winter in UK. I told her over that over here it is a noxious weed – it is planted in some gardens here these days but only specially bred varieties, that wont grow rampant. This one was taken on my walk the same day as the one at the top beach scene as it on the path through the sandhills.

Okay here is my desk (dining table) from a bit earlier – it is bare now so super dull. 

This was when I was making Emily Elizabeth’s card and you can find all the details on the post below.

 The base lilac shade (lower left)I used the Kimmy Luvs Cuttlebug Embossing folder extended on the base.Used Martha Stewart Layered arches punch for the rectangle of coloured Owl DP and card.

Then Nellie Snellen Multi-frames - Square Stitch Nellie Snellen Multiframe Die Set 033 in two shades of mint and lilac to match the DP. The stamp is a combo one with frame of Penny Black hedgie baby set. I masked off the sling with Penny Black baby hedgie in the centre of the stamp and added small owl  Inkadinkado stamped image added afterwards. Used the Petite Oval Spellbinders for the greeting.

Then this card was made with left over pieces as I changed the colour scheme as I went along, etc. I did not want to waste it all so made a simple little baby card for a spare with left over bits. The border is Nellie Snellen border die and scoreboard.

A long post today as you probably wont hear from me for a while except for the draw of candy, not long to go now.

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!

Thanks so very much for stopping by to have a chat.May God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x
This was posted on Wednesday - early Wednesday here - now (due to daylight saving changes) we are 11  hours ahead of UK time now, and even more elsewhere!

Twit-to-whoo! it's Emily’s Owl Card

Hi there everyone! Ten days ago you saw the beginnings of this card on WOYWW .

I know it has arrived at Emily's home up north, so I can post it now - it has changed somewhat from original colours I showed on the WOYWW post but design stayed the same. 

I will post a card in day or so with the original colours of pink and frosted mint green, as I made it up for a spare baby card.
This is the end result - for the base lilac shade I used the Kimmy Luvs Cuttlebug Embossing folder extended on the base, then used Martha Stewart Layered arches punch for the rectangle of coloured Owl DP and card.
Then the lovely Nellie Snellen Multi-frames - Square Stitch Nellie Snellen Multiframe Die Set 033 in

two shades of mint and lilac to match the DP. The stamp is a combo one with frame of Penny Black hedgie baby set.
Why remove the ultra cute hedgie on the original stamp? because Owls are Emily Elizabeth's toy so extra special- and an owl it is!

I masked off the sling with Penny Black baby hedgie in the centre of the stamp and added small owl  Inkadinkado stamped image added afterwards. I think Lisa correctly guessed the identity of owl stamp at WOYWW! I did this section in 3 D style, with glossy accents. 

I changed every part of this card several times funny how we do that. The colours balance for once was the hard thing to work out and the greeting was the trickiest - but the Petite Oval Spellbinders came to the rescue.

Thanks so much for popping by for a chat. May God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in oz. x 

PS My Wonderful Encouragers candy drawn 30.11.11!

We never walk alone.

I love to walk along our beaches here and have often shown you pictures of where I walk as I talk to the LORD. This was one evening a while ago at my sister’s beach, 40 mins north of here. You walk down onto this from her yard! 

In the still, quiet beauty of twilight or bright hope of the sunrise, it is easy to know God is so near. Yet He never leaves us, He is just as near in the bustle of the demands of our day, and most of all when He SEEMS far from us.

I read this passage in Our Daily Bread devotional and would like to share it. It did so bless my heart. Passage was from Matthew 4: 18 – 22 - CLICK here.

"Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers… Then He said to them, “Follow Me”. Matthew 4:18 -19

David Roper (Our  daily Bread) was talking of his walks in the beauty of Idaho's trails... 
”I am often reminded that these treks are symbolic of our Spiritual journey, for the Christian Life is simply walking – with Jesus alongside as our companion and Guide. He walked through the land of Palestine...., gathering disciples saying to them,” Follow Me”

The journey is not always easy. Sometimes giving up seems easier than going on, but when things get difficult, we can rest a while and renew our strength. In Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan describes the hill of Difficulty where Christian caught his breath before continuing the climb. His scroll (the Bible) brought comfort reminding him of the LORD’s continual presence and sustaining power. He got a second wind so he could walk a few more miles.

Only God knows where the path will take us, but we have our LORD’s assurance, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28.20). This is not a metaphor or figure of speech; He is REAL company (emphasis mine). There is not one hour without His companionship. Knowing he is with us makes the journey lighter.”  -David Roper

 

When life becomes a heavy load

An upward climb a winding road,

In daily task, Lord let me see,

                 That with me You will always be.   D.De Haan

As you travel life’s weary road, let Jesus lift your heavy load.

Praying that this might bless your heart as it did mine. What a faithful, loving Friend He is, when we have Jesus as our own Saviour and Guide (CLICK here).

Shaz in Oz.x

Sunshine and WOYWW!

Yes, sorry or rather, sort of sorry! ;D
Here is a very small part of the Lord's beautiful creation - and how everyone is enjoying it down at the secluded and safe harbour. 

As I went walking, I thought I would show you how very lovely it is over here at present. It is my favourite time of year, as we draw near to the celebration of our Saviour's birth.

Although it entails a lot of work and I am not able to blog or create as much as I would like, I love it. There is the lovely weather and the getting ready for Christmas events! The last two nights I've heard our Christmas beetles trying to get through the screen door at nights (or wire-screen, or flywire, depending on what you call it?). Also in the evening the cicadas are beginning to tune up their summer chorus! Yay!

 

In a hanging basket in the courtyard garden, is a stunning red  "Christmas-y" Zygocactus. Simply loaded with blooms again this year, I am amazed at these plants. You ignore them for 11 months of the year, throw a bit of fertiliser/water around occasionally and they repay you like this glorious bouquet! Again my heart sings with praise to God for His many mercies.

Before I go any further I want to say a very BIG welcome to all new Wonderful Encouragers, your kind words cheer my day! Thank you to ALL of you, who have been checking in on this blog over the time, you are all more deeply appreciated than words can convey!

And happy WOYWW or What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday, everyone. What is happening here? Well, not much it is all YET to happen you see.

The card I am attempting to make has been in this state for almost week. A trip to Sydney doctors last Thurs for another check (all good, thank you, Lord and dear friends who were asking!). I'm trying to summon creative thoughts and put together what should be a simple card. However 'cos it is me, I make what is simple - complicated. {for those from Oz, the sparkly paper is from KMart, the Creativ brand- cheap and yummy!}

We have had new birth a few weeks back, our new little one has arrived (Emily Elizabeth – isn’t it such a pretty a name?). Hence I want this card to be extra special. 

As her mummy sometimes reads my blog I will not elaborate  any more on what is going on (maybe 'cos I don’t know what is?) but perhaps the knowledgeable among you may be able to figure it out from the picture? For those of you who are puzzled why we are looking at work desks do join in the fun, and take a trip over to Julia's Stamping Ground!

Thanks so very much for stopping by to have a chat. I am now off peek at other desks of the world and may God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in oz.x
PS have some new cards on post below, Unity Stamp with brayer and sponge. And dont forget my candy wonderful Encouragers of my blog, if you have not entered it yet. See almost top of sidebar.

Unity Stamp - Five Designs For Christmas!

Well it is dawning upon me that the 25^th December is drawing nearer (or galloping might be more appropriate). Card making is in hand for a variety of cards. Here is how one stamp can be used with various mediums and have different looks – so boredom does not set in!
These Unity stamps are great value (pre cut foam mounting at reasonable price) Itty Bitty by Unity stamps, A Child is Born. 

The centre of the first card I have showed before – the method of doing centre stamped image is here in detail. Summary of metallic centre piece is - used Versamark pad + layered up a number of embossing powders (each layer adhered with Versamark) then cook it with heat gun. So it goes Versamark + Embossing powder + cook again.

Used clear embossing powder, pearl, little copper and finally two layers of silver (cooked with heat gun after each layer) to give the gorgeous effect. A fun method to play with! Then stamped in black on clear acetate, & adhered with Dimensional magic. Used Candy Cane embossing folder extended, labels four Nestabilties for frames and ribbon + bling.

The card above right is explained on the post below - or click here 

The next one on left is a brayer card. I ended up sponging too, so you could see the words through the white embossing of stamp. See an excellent example of this method see this exquisite card on Lisa's blog. I was reminded of this method on her lovely Lisa's Craft Garden, see here.

For this I used the Kaleidocolor Blue Breeze Dye ink pad, with Cuttlebug Plus embossing folder Brocade Window, + pearls. The paper I used is lustre white and has a lovely sheen but you cannot see that.

The green, gold, black one is done with the Nellie Snellen Ovals - and needs repeating as little bit of gold lifted when gluing it down. Like the design though, and has Martha Stewart punch in the corner.

The bottom left card is another brayer/sponged card, Adirondack inks + white embossing powder on glossy white cardstock. I also used the left over bit of the frame from the Nellie Snellen Rectangle which I had after cutting the mount for the second card above in blue and silver -thought it was too lovely and different to throw away.

I mounted it on  blue card cuttled with Cuttlebug embossing folder Moroccan Screen.


For those of you who are on the WOYWW blog hop with our Julia this Wednesday when we check out the desks of the world, sorry but I shall be AWOL. Too much on the plate at present. So this post is instead of one then.

For any of you who are my Wonderful Encouragers of this blog - I want to you to join us in some candy, which is a very big THANK YOU for all your encouragement over the past year this blog has been in existence - thank you so much and see this post here.

Thanks everyone for dropping by for a look and a chat! May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x

How to Add Google WebsiteTranslate Widget + WOYWW!

Hi there everyone. Today for WOYWW I am going to do something totally different. For those who do not know what I am rabbiting on about, today is the day when we look at work-desks around the world hosted by our chief, Julia - what a pow wow there is at  WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) - please take a peek at Julia's Stamping Ground!

So this here, Julia, is going to be a virtual desk!
 I have a very special friend (Encourager/ or Follower) who is Vika Doyla (her delightful blog is here) from the Ukraine. When ever I visit her blog I love it - cos all I have to do is turn on the English translator on it, and Russian becomes English. Yay! I can read it. Have wanted for simply ages to know how to do this, as I think it is a lovely service we can put on our blogs for those who cannot speak English that well!
This week I have just found out how (yes, am rather slow). However, I thought others might like to know too? so I will share. (If you dont want to know this - just skip this bit...)
**Click HERE for the link to bring you to this page below. Then just follow the steps:

1. Once you have clicked on FIRST link above, this screen as shown above appears.
2. Go to third section and select second tab - How do I enable the Web element on my page. 
3. THEN select SET UP Wizard. It takes you to the next page.
4. Here below - see to left Tab - ADD To Blogger - Select This!

      5.Now once you click on this (if you are logged into your account) it will bring up a screen like this:

Woo hoo! - you just click Add widget and it will pop to the top of your page elements on Design page of blog and you can re-arrange it if you like - I did a little..
It is that easy!
Now I am sure there are steps for web-styles other than blogger. You will need to go back to the second view and make a selection for Type-pad, etc. I have not tried it but am sure it will be this easy too.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
This  blog is one year old! It began on 01.11.10 (what a date!), so yesterday it was one year old! To ALL Encouragers/ Followers - I really want to say a VERY BIG thank you - and you may want to pop over to previous post here to check out the YUMMY CANDY!

One quick card for Christmas, I used a favourite new stamp of mine - (these Unity stamps are great value, pre cut foam mounting at reasonable price) Itty Bitty by Unity stamps, A Child is Born, embossed in silver. Mounted with Nellie Snellen Rectangle Multiframe Die Set 008.
Next the very beautiful, versatile Cuttlebug Holly Ribbons Embossing folder in silver card, mounted on navy and silver card, with a single bit of bling.
I thought I would enter it in the "Less is more Challenge" of Stars.. hopefully, one very bright one is okay!


Well happy WOYWW everyone and thanks for dropping by for a chat! May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x
PS Now that Neil has his wee parcel from Oz arrive all safe and sound, and posted on his blog, I thought I would post the items I made as a small thank you for his gift of Craft Stamper and some other things a while back now. 
The card is made with brayer and two Adirondack ink pads (Cloudy Blue + Cool Peri which is soft mauve) and of course post-it spot for moon as brayering. Then the Stampscapes favourite stamps -  Rowboat 166A, Gulls 302A, Seaside Cove Small 308G. Then was mounted on cuttled embossed card with Small Bubble folder extended and then white chalk ink over embossing to make it pop.
The bookmark was done with Gouache and gold leaf and ink then laminated which is why it took so long to get over there - gave it to a friend to laminate and he had it for four weeks or more.But it was done and I was grateful indeed.