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

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

Wednesday 4 January 2012

WOYWW + Recycling Cards for Christmas.

Yes, dear fellow WOYWW-ers you read that right! I am, on the first WOYWW of 2012, talking of Christmas.
Before I go any further for those who may have arrived here from elsewhere – WOYWW is the most amazing blog hop on the planet and all hosted by our marvellous Julia at her blog here. Please do join us peeking at the desks of the world, all to learn much! Nothing to do with being a sticky beak - mm, well, mostly not!
 I know some folks will no doubt be totally over Christmas, but the OCD me wants to get organised while I have these great ideas floating around buzzing in my head. If I don’t do them while at this stage I will forget and not do them at all!
 When I get cards or pressies I look for what I can use to make cards for the next year. Most of the cards on my desk today (there are 31 for 2012) are made from some sort of recycling. They are mostly simple, and quite a few are repeated style. The pressie paper, centre-right edge of the table, behind a new pine branch punch, is covered in red and silver ornaments. These became beaut ornaments which I used on cards in all sorts of ways. Then at the front left and middle are some straight conversions on the cards given with some extra bling a folder or ribbon, etc. I will show some in more detail on further posts.
This soft blue Christmas card (on the easel) arrived to my surprise in the post - all the way from USA dear Brenda of Butler’s Abroad. I am yet to contact her, she will be in bed when I do this! Somehow she found out my address and sent it off to me – what a blessing she is, and isn’t it so lovely? Some snow, she said for us in warm Oz, so kind – thank you, dear friend!

Also here is a Christmas gift here by a very clever man – my sister’s father in law made it for me – thanks so much, Mr and Mrs Tolly! It is a wooden spooled tape measure and the tape measure is pulled out by the leather tab then you wind it with the top section, so practical, and I love it! :D

Now the brayer card has been made for the very first challenge over at Craft A Scene. It is Anything Goes (ie made anyway but must be a scene) and you have until Jan. 27th to do this challenge. This is one of the most enjoyable challenges I have done – not that I have done many. I must confess, I'm not terribly good at getting around to them, but please do take a peek over at their brand new blog. They have a DT call out too until January 10th, and some very talented folk have put their hat in the ring. The recipe of this card have posted it in full here (or post below)!

In case you think the weather here has not been nice and that is why I have been so busy making cards – no, cracker days and everyone is enjoying it here – in Melbourne they have copped it (see Jocelyn of Instead of Ironing Blog's post,) they are now having heat-waves, but just lovely Goldilocks’ weather here and very glad of it (ie not too hot and not too cold)

And please take time if you can to visit two fairly new bloggers who are now tow Wonderful Encouragers of this blog - welcome to Karen and Anja! It is great to get to know you.
Well, thanks everyone for popping over here for a look and a chat! I shall be bit slow getting around again to folks, as am flat out for the rest of this week until the weekend. Craft and computer won’t get a look in – but hope to get around at the weekend, all being well.
Happy WOYWW every one and may God bless you wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz. x.
PS. I wonder how many times I end a WOYWW post with a PS? I seem to a lot. Well look another a card from another WOYWW-er has arrived here lunch time today! This is from Bridget Larsen of Fruit  Salad Blogspot has sent me one of her very stunning cards - dont you love it?
These were on her desk a few weeks back and I said how I loved them - the colour is what grabbed me at first and also the simplicity of the beauty in this card.

Thanks so much dear friend! (see not just being a sticky beak, but real joy and pleasure from being a WOYWW-er!). I had to smile how she said inside about us meeting over messy desks!

PPS. To those asking about Monkey's top, he came with it (see this post here) - he is called Deer monkey, cos of his top. He came from the UK to Oz in April with family - he  usually travels in the car with Tweetie Pie and Mechant (my little PT Tips monkey), but came into superintend proceedings over Christmas - totally approves of all the cards for next Christmas! :D

38 comments:

505whimsygirl said...

Great minds think alike! I kept my cards out along with some gift tags and will recycle them into either cards or ornaments.
I finished my wreath but have to wait for Wednesday here to post.

Happy New Year Shaz!!

Kirsty.A said...

31 cards made for next year - I am super impressed! If you're a get-aheader like me, you might like to read my WOYWDW post when it goes up on Wednesday (UK time)

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Thanks, Shaz. You have prompted me to get down to sorting out the Christmas cards, ready for the recycling. As usual, I keep any handmade cards for posterity. The rest I go through, sort out any that I can use for tags, toppers etc. What is left goes into the recycling bin. There seem to be fewer this year that I want or need to keep, the styles do not suit the style of cards I like to make. You have had some wonderful cards this year.

Sarah C. said...

Hi Shaz,
Happy New Year!
Not wasting X-mas cards is a great idea!
I love your new blog look...nice and fresh!
Hope you have a lovely relaxed weekend this week.
love,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. I am totally in awe of your forward thinking, and not only that but actual ACTION! Amazing work and very clever to reuse an up cycle.

Your blog looks very fresh, ready or the New Year!

Have a good one.

Mary Anne

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Shaz!

These cards look lovely, and isn't it great that they could be recycled.

Your new blog background is so fresh and summery!

May He bless and keep you in this coming year... the Lord Jesus, our Hope.

Love,
Maddy

ScrappnBee said...

Good for you for being able to start Christmas 2012, when I am still vaacuming up up pine needles! Love the beautiful cards! You are one lucky lady! The Scene card is Fab too! Good luck with the challenge! Enjoy the Goldilocks weather! -Amanda 28

jude said...

Stunning cards and never too early to start with the christmas cards.Just wish i had my mojo.seems to have disappeared today again.Have fab wednesday
hugs judex10

Helen said...

What a great post today! I am ahead of the game for Christmas - had some cards left over from this year - must remember to put them somewhere safe so I don't forget!! Love the cards you were sent, they are gorgeous. Happy WOYWW.

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I do the same!! I get a great deal of enjoyment from recycling my cards into next year's tags :) I love the red/silver tags you made, really pretty! I got some beautful cards from WOYWWers, they're definitely keepers!
Happy New Year!
Hugs, LLJ #34 xx

Neil said...

Morning Shaz. Loved seeing your cards this morning. I have also challenged myself to make Christmas cards throughout the year in the hope that I'll be more organised! Lovely tape reel too; I'm sure it'll be treasured. I hope your 2012 is a year filled with God's blessings in your life.

Glenda said...

Love your idea of not wasting Christmas cards. This time of year, I just want to get it over with and move on. I guess I'm quite lazy!

sandra de said...

Always such beautiful cards and it is such a good idea to be thinking ahead. Love all the bits that you are keeping from other xmas stuff. The snowflakes card is very pretty and tape measure is wonderful and handmade. It really doesn't get any better.

Neet said...

What a lovely and interesting read this is Shaz. I am determined I will get in front with the card making but once again something has got in my way. Ah well, still plenty of time to get started.
Lovely cards for us to see and there is sock monkey watching over them - is that a new sweater he is wearing?
Love your scenic card, I cannot do these for love or money.
Take care - enjoy 2012 and may it be a good one for you. Hugs, Neet #1 xx

May said...

Recycle, great news with the christmas cards, love the tape measure, and your card for create a scene blog is Stunning x x Hugs May x x x

Ann B said...

I'm not very good at recycling cards, tried it once, put them away and promptly forgot about them to re-find them in mid-July so I don't bother now. That tape measure is a work of art in itself, I just love wooden things and this looks so quirky and beautiful.
Ann B
#42

Cathy said...

Fab cards, I love the butterfly one, it is really striking. Now my sock monkey is jealous that he doesn't have a Christmas top to wear!!
Happy WOYWW
Cathy xx

Anonymous said...

Ah Shaz thanks for the shout out, you're very welcome! Love the idea of recycling Christmas cards, I save them every year but that's as far as it ever gets!! I've now got a large box full that I need to do something with! Very pretty scene cards and good luck in the challenge. I also love your description of the Goldilocks weather!!

Hugs
Brenda 76

Elizabeth said...

Hello Shaz, you are getting prepared well in advance for Christmas this year - I was a tad too slow and discovered the EM had already disposed of ours seconds after unpegging them ... luckily I had already removed the handmade cards I'd received ...phew! I saw a report in the news yesterday that suggested Australia was so hot there is a danger of forest fires ... I hope you are safe where you are. It does seem strange that while we are living through the worst of storms with winds reaching 102mph, you are enjoying Goldilocks weather ... that's Camelot weather to me. Love your build a scene card - it's surely a winner :) All the best, Elizabeth x #60

Elizabeth said...

I love that spooled measuring tape - what a clever idea. And how organised are you already for next year?! I got as far as chucking my old Christmas cards into a box for recycling into new ones, if I can be bothered, some Christmas in the future, hehe :) Thank you for your encouraging comment, and I love your pudding ideas!

Tertia said...

31 cards for Christmas this year!!?? You are scaring me lady, I haven't even recovered from last years cards and you have made 31 already?
I don't have a craftroom any more... well, thats my story and I am sticking to it. LOL
Happy WOYWW and a great 2012 to you.

lisa said...

It seems that us crafters are a thrfty lot, I recycle mine into tags for next year too. They are already chopped up and boxed ready!!! Not the homemade ones of course though. They have been put away carefully to be looked at and admired again.
I'm glad the weather is being kind to you. I often think about your sunshine. The wind is howling here and the rain lashing against the windows as I type!!!
Happy New Year and Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax

Julia Dunnit said...

Ooooh nice cards, you've been captured by the elves and filled with christmas mojo! Love your retractable tape measure, what a marvellous thing, and handmade too. Gorgeous. Glad you aren't experiencing extremes of weather, it's kinda weird!

fairy thoughts said...

oh so like me I'm planning on starting next years at the weekend mainly to get all the ideas out of my head so I can move on. great cards , the scene is beautiful.... as usual
janet #27

Hazel said...

Way to go with the recycling! And thanks for the heads up about 'Craft a scene' - hadn't come across that - will try and do something for it (Hazel, WOYWW 108) x

Enfys said...

Your cards are beautiful Shaz, love that brayer one..
hugs
Enfys

Hettie said...

Happy New Year Shaz. I cannot believe you have already made Christmas cards already.
Monkey wants to know where your Monkey got his jumper! It is gorgeous!!
Thanks for your visit and kind comments. Glad you like my card. I will now try and brayer it!

Katie said...

Your cards are beautiful! I love the tape measure made for you as well, what a thoughtful gift!

Katie #81

Robin Panzer Art said...

LOL well you are definitely organized. I'm definitely ready to be "over" Christmas this year but I am impressed with your beautiful cards! Happy WOYWW #5 Robin Panzer Art Studio 33

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I definitely like the idea of recycling holiday cards and have done so in the past. However, not now. For me I've had quite enough holiday and am ready to move on. I have everything tucked away nicely for when it is time to think holiday again though. I love your brayer card with the Stampscapes scene. It has been a long time since I've played with their scenary stamps (or the brayer, which I'm not that fond of).

Anne said...

Your cards are lovely. Have put my received cards aside to look at again and will keep those that inspire me and others will be recycled in some form or another. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year. Anne x

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Hi Shaz,

Wow - 31 cards ALREADY!! Goodness - that's amazing but as you said, it is good to make them while you are still in a creative Christmas mood. I have made 6 so far. And like you, I look through all the Christmas things we receive for what I can re-purpose

Your Stampscapes card is fantastic! Love how you framed it with the black with the fancy corners. I would pick it as a winner for sure!!

{{hugs}} and blessings
Jocelyn

karen said...

Wow, you are going to be all ready for next Christmas now! Great idea!
You have received some beautiful hand made cards there!
Happy 2012!
xoxo Karen

Julie said...

Hi,

I've sorted through all the Christmas cards we were sent to see which can be reused. Just need to get round it actually doing something with them though - but I've got all year right??

Loved your blue card with the brayering - amazing!

Have a lovely day!

Julie x

Sarn said...

A lovely post Shaz. Happy Belated WOYWW! xxx

Bridget Larsen said...

LOL you write like me with lots of Psssss. What a great idea to recycle Christmas cards, I give mine to a card maker friend who re mounts them and gives them to a cancer hospice, I keep the ones from close friends and ones I want to keep for inspiration. Imagine my surprise when I saw my card up there,I usually look at pictures first then write so I had to read quickly to get to where my card was hahahaha. Forgot I had posted you one, was in packing mode. Am on my way down to the Gold Coast for the next week. Cant really remember where you are either or we could maybe meet for coffee if I pass your house. Imagine that, meeting someone IRL from WOYWW.
Bridget #151

Sheree said...

I can't believe that you have 31 cards done already! I'm going to have to go hide in the rubber room and try to catch up!
Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog all the time. I ALWAYS look forward to your visits!
And... I'm so glad you're getting loads of traffic from our new challenge blog!! You deserve it because you are an incredibly talented artist in my eyes... I've learned so much from every visit to Oz!
Thanks for the offer of sending sunshine up here...haha! We are considered the rainforest on Vancouver Island..liquid sunshine. Doesn't do much good if you're solar powered tho!
Have a wonderful weekend my wonderful friend!
Hugs,
Sheree
XXX

Karen Aicken said...

Recycling all those beautiful cards is wonderful. My friends and I do it too - quite often cutting bits and pieces out of the beautiful purchased cards we received and mounting them on folded cardstock tags. I also love to make bookmarks out of the nice scenic ones. You can slice a pretty Christmas or winter scene into several pieces and get several lovely bookmarks perfect for tucking into a Christmas card next season. :-)
Enjoy your day
Cheers, Karen

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