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 13 March 2013

WOYWW Letterpress, Brayer + Embossing Folders

Well, hullo there everyone! Here we are on the 13.3.13 - and it is Wednesday, so that means WOYWW! Yay! 
What's On YOUR Workdesk Wednesday? So take a pickie load it up and and share your wonderful workspace and link over to the wonderful Julia's blog over here at the Stamping Ground. it is a time of great discovery - not unlike that of Columbus and Cook! (well kinda? in a crafty way)

So the mess! Top left watched by Big Monkey is the Letterpress card - shown on the post below - or click here for more details.
In the foreground is another  card in the making. 
I am trying to work out what I can decorate it and still get through Australia's Post letter gauge of 5mm!
It is going to USA, it saves on heaps on post if we get it through that narrow opening so that eliminated most of my first thoughts. I love the verse (Edit: Stampabilties stamp bought on eBay in answer to query) on this card, plus the design of layout of stamp, not always high quality.
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty."
 My friend is not well and thought this might encourage her. I have just rediscovered the beauties of the brayered embossing folder ... forgot how lovely they are. I had bought a couple of SU pads for bargain prices on eBay. When looked how lovely large and juicy they were my brayer jumped into my mind; also this Budding vine embossing folder by Craft Concepts. At this time I did not know as going to need two ladies "Get well" cards (but LORD did), so away inked quite merrily. 
 
Once inked and embossed,  I spritzed them with Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist, my very favourite spray; hope you can see the glimmer shine on the two images. The Christmas one will be made into a card too - doesn't it look lovely? Embossing folder is also Crafts concepts - Festive tree.
I will close this a pickie of a small part of our courtyard - the African violets seems to grow better outside totally neglected and just given an occasional spray with water and maybe the odd fertiliser. There is also Vinca sprouted up to the right, in the concrete of the courtyard garden. It has stones/ pebbles on top of concrete, but will grow anywhere but where you plant it!

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat - you make my day!
May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x

47 comments:

Betsy said...

Beautiful cards as usual Shaz. I don't have much luck with violets. I seem to kill them off right away. Yours is beautiful though.
Blessings,
Betsy

okienurse said...

gorgeous cards Shaz! I am particular to the purple one of course!! I wonder do you leave the African violets out in the winter down there too? Here I have been afraid to even put them out in the summer but maybe in a shady well watered area it might work. Thanks for sharing. Vickie.

Nikki said...

Fantastic Cards :) I have no problem with violets in my backyard but put em in a pot and I forget to water them or drown them lol hugs Nikki

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Lovely cards and your desk is fab,
have a nice day,
Tamara

sara j said...

Ah sun and warmth and plants outside. Some day that will happen here. Sigh. Love the verse; may have to send that on to a friend of mine that is going through a troubling time. Also had to laugh at the whole concept of just how fat can the card be....so true!! Hope you have a wonderful week.

Ann B said...

Love are lucky Sharon, being able to grow African Violets outside, afraid they would shrivel up in the cold here - and that is inside.
Love your letterpress cards, very pretty.
Thanks for calling round already, much appreciated.
Ann B
26

Di said...

Hi Shaz - love the cards you made and am soooo envious of you having the weather to grow such gorgeous flowers outside.

In reply to your comment about the newsletters - yes, I do stick stamps on :( So, a newsletter to Oz (we have a lot of members living in your part of the world) will have address label, return address label, airmail sticker and three stamps stuck on. No wonder it's like a little factory here every four months - and no wonder I feel I've done my stint!!

Happy WOYWW, hugs, Di xx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Well, those two cards are bound to cheer anyone up! I especially love the swirly whirly one!! I still don't understand the technique but love the result, lol...... That happens a lot with me :)
LLJ 36 xx

JoZart Designs said...

Love your cards, especially the gatefold one. I'm sure they'll do the trick and cheer up your poorly pals. Quite a busy productive desk for sure, dear Shaz,
Jo x

Helen said...

Lovely cards, Shaz. Hope your friends get better soon. The African violets are so pretty in your garden. Helen 11

Helen said...

Lovely cards, Shaz. Hope your friends get better soon. The African violets are so pretty in your garden. Helen 11

Heathers Inspiration said...

Great cards, such a Lovely selection :)You have been busy x
Happy WOYWW Heather #46

Neet said...

Ooh Letterpress cards! Now they are so pretty, the recipients will love them and they will cheer up when they open them for sure.
Love the shot of your corner of the garden, African Violets are so pretty - wish we could grow them outside.
Blessings Neet xx x

Unknown said...

Love the monkeys guarding your desk lol!! Your cards are ALWAYS great and a pleasure to see! Happy WOYWW.
Janene #54

Sandy said...

Your violets are lovely and do look very healthy.. I do love your embossed cards it is a lot of fun discovering what goes with what, with a brayer in the equation and yours are lovely..
Sandy :) #4

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards, I am hoping I can keep my mother's day plants alive.
Carol.x #52

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

I used to have several African Violets, but gradually lost them all over the years. There is no way e could grown them outside though, although I always used to give my house plants a holiday in a sheltered area of the garden in the summer. I love that purply card, in particular, such a delicate looking design. I had forgotten about brayering an embossing folder. Another technique to revive.Thank you for your visit and kind comments on my cards. I do love the Flower Fairies and am determined to teach the grandchildren about them. They are really the only fairies I like, their faces are so lovely. Have a good week. xx Maggie #9

Laura said...

Love the flowers. We have a few crocus out but they are currently under 3 inches of snow!!
Happy Wednesday
Laura
:)
68

Debs Willis said...

Shaz, your African violets were a treat - thank you!

Happy woyww

Debs #84

ria gall said...

really lovely cards isn't it a shame that we have to worry about what we put on them when sending them in the post. As crafters we want to use our embellishments but have to hold back on them.
I hope your friend feels better soon
Happy WOYWW
Ria 60

Helen Pigott said...

Love the cards but love your monkey more!
I'm off to visit some more busy desks! Have a lovely crafty week.
Rum x
http://acraftykindoftruffle.blogspot.co.uk

Twiglet said...

I love African violets. Your lilac card is so pretty - it surely will do the trick! x Jo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards and flowers.

lisa said...

Such beautiful cards, Shaz. It's hard to think what to put on cards when you have to post them isn't it. Love the embossed ones you have been playing with.
How lovely to see African violets outside. We just have them gathering dust inside!!!
Happy WOYWW
hugs Lisax #59

Mrs.D said...

Shaz, What beautiful cards, I love the dark red one. What stamps do you use, I love the Psalm 91 stamp, but haven't seen anything as nice over here.
Blessings
Chris

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Shaz, love the deep red colour of your card- gorgeous. I had to smile at the African Violets growing best if totally neglected! Over here we have them as a houseplant, and they demand every care & bit of loving attention you can give them, if they are even to consider thinking about flowering! Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #121

Gibby Frogett said...

Happy WOYWW great desk, love your monkeys...lovely cards too. Gill x #50

Unknown said...

Your cards are gorgeous! I have to pay extra on my cards if there's something "hard" on them like rhinestones, doesn't matter if they're narrow enough. And your Violets are lovely. I do not have a green thumb. Most of my plants live in spite of me. LOL! Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #115

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards. I love the letter pressing. #114

Caro said...

Gorgeous cards! I love that verse too. Thanks for sharing. Have a Happy WOYWW. Caro x #61

Jenny Marples said...

Loving your cards. Hope you win the battle of the post! Happy WOYWW, hugs Jenny #135

Julia Dunnit said...

Well my friend, we have something else in common - but it certainly isn't patience for letterpress OR making a christmas card, however juicy my ink pads!! No, it must be those gorgeous violets, one of my garden beds is awash with yellow primroses and dotted with violets, a really good sign of spring here..and yep, they thrive on neglect!

Shoshi said...

Letterpress is a new technique on me, Shaz! Something I must try once I get up and running again in my new ARTHaven. It's so pretty! Love what you have done, and thanks for the link to the Stamp TV video too.

Many thanks for your lovely comment, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your prayers. The LORD is definitely in this whole adventure of the house move - His timing is amazing, and every time I've been anxious, I have felt Him asking me, "Do you trust Me?" and when I answer "yes," I am immediately filled with His peace! I am feeling very positive about it and looking forward so much to the adventure of settling into our new home and having Mum close by in the annexe, where we can make sure she is OK.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #84

Kelly said...

Love the cards, Shaz. Sometimes in place of pearls, I just use white dimensional paint to make 'pearl' drops. They do't seem to be as bulky for mailing while still adding a bit of texture. Something to think about.
Creative Blessings!
Kelly #126

fairy thoughts said...

Hi shaz a real mix on your desk this week.... pretty flowers and Christmas (agh) all very pretty though, as are your violets... I love to see your lovely sunny garden etc. Cannot wait for spring, it'd freezing here at the moment
janet #19 in chilly uk

Anne said...

Lovely cards. Love violets as well but they don't usually do wel for me. Happy WOYWW Anne x #137

famfa said...

Beautiful cards and flowers. We can't see our ground yet - still covered in snow. Didn't realize it was 13.13.13 wow

Lucy said...

Great to see you're so busy! Loving the purple card, it's beautiful! I totally get the postal dilemma. It's such a pain because all you want to do is embellish, but you have to keep your costs down or you can send as much - not fair! Keep up the good work! Lucy #24 x

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Shaz,

You made me laugh about the vinca vine. I planted one in the wrong spot and it didn't grow. Oh, but it popped up somewhere else! Beautiful lowers - also love violets.

Your desk looks great - the cards you've made are beautiful. Isn't it great when we find bargains!! Your get well card will be so appreciated, I'm sure.

Thanks for visiting me already. I'm slowly getting around.
Happy WOYWW
Kay (108)

Tamika said...

the work with the letterpress looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting me today and leaving such a sweet message. Hugs, Sue#122

Eliza said...

Shaz those violets look so healthy maybe I should chuck mine outside too and pray they will book lol

Great card creations and I know where you are coming from with the size of the card but also the weight

Belated WOYWW
Eliza

Jules said...

Hi Shaz

So pleased to see I am not the only one who ends up working in a very small working space LOL!!!

Great makes and what gorgeous flowers.

My late MIL was able to grow African Violets like they were weeds!! She always had loads and loads of them all across her kitchen windowsill.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Love Jules xx

Rossella said...

Love your cards, your monkey and those african violets.
Happy belated WOYWW
Rosie x

Nan G said...

Both will definitely cheer the recipients! Brayering, huh, I usually just dab the ink pad on the e.f. Will have try the brayer now. One gets such cool ideas in WOYWW-ville! a couple days late Happy WOYWW! Nan #25

Shelly Schmidt said...

Beautifully done backgrounds-love the colors you used. I am still too reluctant to post my work desk, but maybe I will get more nerve up and join in some day!

Stephanie said...

Such beautiful cards! Lovely and cheerful :)

Thank you for stopping by - your comment was a delight to read! I look forward to getting to know you.

Hugs,
Stephanie

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