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 30 May 2012

Am back! From a long, long way away....happy WOYWW everyone!

Hi there everyone, yes this is me . a real live post and so very sorry to each of you for the long silence, lack of blogging,  commenting....
Have been away-a ways, as you will find out! and been flat strap since back and still not sorted but then I don't think I ever will be so we wont hold our breath on that, will we??
 I want to say thanks to all the very dear ones who popped over here to say "Hi and where (how) are you?" even not blogging...As it is WOYWW thought better jump in irrespective of my readiness for blogging again and say hi in return....
What is WOYWW you ask - mm, think you must be hiding further away than I was. What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday is the best worldwide blog hop, certain sticky beaks crafty folk take a look at others crafty or not so crafty spaces. See our hostess of  WOYWW, our beloved Julia, - see here, many more over at the "Stamping Ground" (please note Julia - naughty  monkey is hogging the badge, he's probably still miffed cos it went away on hols, but not him)!
As said on 4.4.12 WOYWW post, family were visiting, etc and was not able to blog much till June, apart from a number of preset posts. The visitors were here for Easter and a little after. Then  it was off to visit family too, for five and half weeks to be exact. Woohoo!
Where to? well my desk shows which location by the amount of loot. Hint: it was not in Oz. T'was in Manchester to be precise! mm, you read right Manchester, UK. All this juicy goodness came from there! drool drool - yep did leave plenty back there! believe you me, this was very restrained..I found these Aladdin caves of craft stores with the help of certain special WOYWW-ers. The Paperchase paper at the top was bought first, then visited Affleck's for the bead shop which had the most amazing array of exciting bits and bobs, in wee bags at the front right.
I could not get over how cheap the things were! Over here, we have to pay so much freight to get things downunder! Then came Abakhan, I think it became my favourite on the third visit (knitters take a peek on this link), as I found another floor - where I bought the ribbons in the top right. Rolls and rolls of ribbon, wow!  there was whole floor with them, this is just tiny bit taken on my phone, not downloaded camera photos yet!
{I forgot mention while  I was revelling in all this, the city of Manchester was revelling in something quite different! getting ready for the very huge celebration parade of the Man. City win over Man. United at a big Football cup (or soccer as we call it over here). You can see I dont even know what the cup was for! family supported Arsenal, as they lived there first}. The photos left show one of many selling commemorative flags, hats, jumpers, etc.
I also bought at Abakhan the Xcut dies, two embossing folders, bling, and stamp. Our family live right in the city centre, so are only few blocks from Northern Quarter where all these lovely shops are. Fred Aldous was last, where bought the Xcut punch, juicy paper pads and brads - lovely "olde worlde" ones. Knew of  Fred Aldous but not the other three stores... so I really want to thank Neet, Ann, Jozarty, and Doone, for all travelling to Manchester to have a really great crafty day out. Most of all a big thank you to Neet, who organised via WOYWW,  in April/May!
Left bottom on desk you may spy some of Doone's work too! the photos bottom left, very definitive, and then the red bag on middle left is Jo's delightful bag, oozing goodies in a wee container plus some lacey bits too. The stunning turquoise necklace and my very first ATC card is from Neet. I have never had one before, nor have I ever made one (mm, think Neet said that an ATC is the PiF is for next month, so now have and idea for template if do partake - ie get my act together... Oops, just found out the PiF tis for today so guess am too late..)....
Neet, Jo and  Ann at Affleck's bead shop - a tad excited, eh?
Jump over to Ann, Neet, Jo, and Doone, they will probably post about it too - as it was agreed to keep it quiet, til my return, at my request. Thanks again girls it was great. I was just disappointed Neet and I did meet again for lunch as we hoped - but health was an issue - was doing too much! surprise!
So Happy WOYWW, everyone!
Okay, so we collapsed and had coffee after - here is Doone and Jo!
May God bless your day wherever you may be and thanks so very much for popping over here for a peek and a chat!,

Shaz in Oz.x
PS Okay have downloaded most of pickies - but not sorted mind you but here are two of our great day!
I also want to say a specially big thank you to all my friends who knew and were praying for me to be kept well and that the Lord would bless the trip - He did!
Exceedingly abundantly above all we could hope or think.. am so very very thankful! I will share few pickies in days to come all being well!


37 comments:

Carol Willis said...

Fabulous haul Shaz, glad you enjoyed your trip. Happy crafting.
Hugs
Caz x

Belinda Basson said...

So lovely to seethe faces behind the blogs. Looks like you all had fun. I keep saying to my Hubby that I want to go to the UK to meet everyone who I chat with on line. ATCs are quite addictive if you ever decide to make any, I will happily swap with you. I have made some extras for today, just in case.

Inkypinkycraft said...

Looks like you had a great time !! Have a great week hugs trace x 39

Hettie said...

Hello there Honey. Glad to see you are back and that you had a good time in the UK. I hadn't realised Jo was that short. Hee Hee. Cannot wait to see what you do with your goodies!

Anonymous said...

Such yummy goodies.I'm in Oz too.
Judy #51

donnalouiserodgers said...

It feels so long ago now, am glad you made it back home, and in relatively good health, it is exhausting to travel so far and then to be so busy, it was a blessing to meet you for real, and i hold the day as a special memory, love the 'collapsed' photo!

happy 3rd birthday - just let me knwo if you want to do
a belated ATC swap...

dxxx ( eighty soemthing)

Neet said...

Hi there friend - it was lovely to see you posting about our day in Manchester and even better to know that the places I introduced you too became favourites, necessitating in return trips as your emails kept telling me.
I hope that you are rested now and that you soon return to full health - am sure that wonderful sea air and The Lord will help.
Take care my friend
Love
Neet xx

JoZart Designs said...

What am memorable day it was and the surprise when we met was lovely. Thanks too for your gifts, the chat and fun we all had.
Happy 3rd WOYWW Birthday! Great to be part of this wonderful fun group which was the facilitator of our meet up!
Rest and recuperate and will be in touch soon, I'm off to Brighton for the Jubilee weekend.
Love Jo x

Helen said...

Glad you had a wonderful trip - welcome back just in time for the anniversary edition!! Happy WOYWW, Helen, 8

Neil said...

Hi there, just popping in to wish you a happy WOYWW 3rd anniversary! Who would have thought it would grow to be such a weekly treat for us all to catch up and see so much inspiring creativity! Here's toasting the next year.....
Glad to hear you had a lovely time here in England but I'm sure you are grateful to be home too.
May God bless your week.

Kathryn said...

Hey there Shaz!
Just read about your adventures over on Neet's blog. Looks like you had a fabulous time!
Happy WOYWW Anniversary!! Can't wait to see what you create from you haul! Ha!
hugs!
kat

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Happy 3rd WOYWW!
Lovely to have you back! The photos of your meet up with the girls has made me smile so much. You look like you all had a fab time and I bet the shopkeepers of Manchester are happy too, LOL!!! The pics are testament to the power of WOYWW, how wonderful it is :D
Hugs, LLJ #77 xx

Victoria said...

I'm drooling over those goodies! It sounds like you had a whale of a time over here and I hope that you have a nice chance to rest up now that you're home. Thanks for sharing news of your travels.. it's really lovely to read.

france papillon said...

so happy to read you had such a wonderful time! what a great trip this must have been, so wish i could do it the other way around and come downunder!
have a happy week,
france #97 xx

Ann B said...

Pleased you made it back home in one piece Sharon, even if we can't say the same for your purse - you certainly know how to shop, but then you were amongst experts. Lovely photos and a perfect reminder of a very special day - lovely to meet you.

Ann B
#58

Twiglet said...

What a fab post - you must have had a fab time!
Happy WOYWW 3rd anniversary.
We have made some fab blogging friends through our mad blog hop haven't we!!
Have a great week. x Jo

craftieodmae said...

glad you are back, sounds like you had one exciting trip!!!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Got to see some of the awesome shots at Neet's blog this morning. Looks like you gals had a lot of fun. I'm just thrilled I was given the chance to "meet" you through this wild and fun blog hop we take each week, even if it wasn't in person. Still the wrong continent (grin). Happy 3rd WOYWW Anniversary from #2.

Katie said...

How fun! Love all the stuff you bought :) You're going to have fun playing with it all!

Katie (38)

Elizabeth said...

Hi Shaz, lovely to see you back in blogland and great to read about your meet up with the girls in Manchester - made me quite homesick for there with the mention of Afflecks Palace and all. Did you take an empty suitcase with you for all the lovely goodies you took back ... the ribbon shop would have been just too much of a temptation for me too :) Now that you are back, safe and sound, I hope you will rest awhile and take time to get over it and have fun playing with your new stash. Happy WOYWW my friend, and enjoy what's left of the day. Elizabeth x #96

Karen Letchworth said...

Shaz: Thank you so much for popping by my blog to say hello and for leaving me that beautiful poem. It did help me to be reminded that God sees things from a different perspective (the right one). I needed that!
I also would like to tell you about Word Art Wednesday. It's a Christian Challenge Blog where you can share your God-given talents and link up art that He has given you. We offer weekly challenges, free word art/scripture, and lots of fun and fellowship (not to mention GREAT prizes). I'd really LOVE to have you join us in our challenges. Or just stop by to say hello! Thanks again for being such a blessing and encouragement to me!
God is SO GOOD!
Karen L
www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

CraftygasheadZo said...

Lol sounds like you had super fun, as for the footy well Man city only went and won the Premier league! I watched some of the procession on tv! Fab photos and I'm glad you had a fab crafty time too. Take care & enjoy this special WOYWW. Zo xx 37

May said...

Shaz.... Lovely to have you back.. Fantastic news that you met up with some fabulous wowyers.. the pics look as a good time was had by all.. and a shopping spree well what more does a girl need!!! Big Hugs to you and welcome back... Hugs May x x x#4

Princess Judy Palmer said...

5.5 weeks away from home! It is a wonder you remember where you live. It sounds like the trip was divine though. Look at all that loot! And the fact that you said you did leave some behind! Look at all that ribbon! Lots of fun times!

Anonymous said...

Hi Shaz, thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving me such an encouraging comment.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit to Manchester! I wish I'd known you then as you could have popped down the M6 and had a cup of tea with me, lol!

I can see you had a fab crafty shopping time too.

This was a lovely post to read and I'm now following you too.
xx

Glenda said...

I did so miss you while you were gone! Glad you are back and I've really enjoyed your photos. Thanks so much for sharing! Glenda #118

Serendipity Stamping said...

So glad to hear you had a fabulous trip, fun with the gals, and of course all the "take home" goodies. #128

Robin Panzer Art said...

Sounds like a fabulous trip! What wonderful treasures you found! Happy 3rd WOYWW Anniversary!

fairy thoughts said...

sounds like you had a blast over here (not to mention the shopping)I had already heard about it from Neets post, I wish I lived nearer to Manchester.
good to see you back
janet #43

Angie said...

So glad you had such a fantastic time ...looks like you shopped well.
Happy 3rd Woyww Birthday

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Welcome back!! Wow what a great post, love all the pictures..Have fun putting away your new stash..and enjoy the week and HAPPY WOYWW

Minxy said...

perfect timing to be back, glad you had an awesome break, looks like lots of fun was had, good for you x
happy woyww anniversary fellow desk hopper
Minxy #3

Anonymous said...

How lovely to "see" you!! Lol, I went trolling round the other blogs looking for pics of you but didn't come up with much! Looks like you all had a fantastic day out, and I can't believe how restrained you were with your purchases too. Glad you had such a lovely trip and that you're now home safely. Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely posts again.

Hugs
Brenda 122 or thereabouts!

Eliza said...

Welcome home to Oz sounds like you have had one extended holiday.

Happy 3rd Anniversary WOYWW
Eliza #140
http://queenartoypia.blogspot.com.au/

Morti said...

Hey Shaz! How fab - what a great time you guys all had - but why do we not see any pictures of you??? Oh well... LOL

Sorry to be so late getting round this week - the Queen's Jubilee got in the way!

Happy WOYWW!

Ali said...

Oooh your crafty goodies from
Manchester look lovely and I'm so glad you had such a nice time here in the sunny (well, not atm! :lol:) UK! :D

Happy WOYWW anniversary!

Ali #86

Julie said...

Amazing crafty stash there. I love Abakhan's, there's one near us. Last time I was in there I bought far too many lace cuts offs - I'll never use it!!

Hope you're all settle in at home after your lovely holiday! xx

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