"Wonderfully Made" + Brayered Embossing Folder ~ Budding Vine

 Hullo there everyone, I thought I would take the time to share the blessing of comfort from the LORD..

Last Monday 22.4.13 I had cataract eye surgery as many know. I found this verse on the day of the surgery, on our daily calendar ~ a real blessing. Lying on the operating table, I was marvelling at not only what man can do; but most of all of the wonder the human body, formed and created by God. 
 Marvellous that part of an organ can be plucked out and another put in, accept it and works so well in time.

                  This verse has always meant lot to me as for years in my youth I was very bitter that the LORD had not done what I thought was "a better job on making me". As a teen I really struggled with it - but one day in my twenties the LORD taught my heart the real wisdom God had - "His ways are not my ways". I now could say and mean it: " My lips shall praise thee, O LORD, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..and this my soul knoweth right well".. and mean it with all my heart. God's way IS best.
This time waiting for my eye to heal and to have glasses that work for close vision again ( in 4 more weeks) I have time to appreciate afresh how vital vision is, as are all our senses. I really do love the magnifier on the computer.
  I pray for all who have vision issues. My aunt has macular degeneration, almost blind now and regularly pray for her with it.

I would also like to share this poem from Abby's of "Little Birdee Blessings" blog:

My Lord and I

I have a Friend so precious, so very dear to me.

He loves me with such tender love, He loves so faithfully.

I could not live apart from Him, I love to feel Him nigh.

And so we dwell together, My Lord and I.
 .....

Sometimes I'm faint and weary, He knows that I am weak.

And as He bids me lean on Him, His help I gladly seek;

He leads me in the paths of light, beneath a sunny sky.

And so we walk together, My Lord and I.
 .....

He knows how much I love Him, O that I loved Him well;

But with that love He loveth me, My tongue can never tell;

It is an everlasting love, In ever rich supply,

And so we love each other, My Lord and I.

~ Author Unknown

Brayered Embossing Folders - Budding Vine shown on both cards. Some time ago now these cards were made an sent off. They appeared in part on my desk ( see back here on this post here), the post describes methods used.  recipe below.
I thank you all for popping over, making my day by commenting and most of all for your thoughts and prayers. Still not actually commenting much, but will do my best. May God bless your day wherever you may be and lift your hearts to see His marvellous work.
love Shaz in Oz.x

Recipes card 1 + 2:

Craft Concepts Embossing Folders - Budding Vine

Stampin up ink + brayer with Glimmer Mist Diamond

Die-namics crotchet  border die 

Spellbinder Scallop de with hand cut highlight edge

Ribbon Girl flowers. 

Stampabilties stamp, Psalm 91:1 "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty."
I would like to link this over to:
Word Art Wednesday 
Our Daily Bread - Cherish God's creation
Abby of Little Birdee Blessings

K Kingdom + Marianne Butterflies ~ Snippet Note + Thank You card...

Hullo there everyone!

I saw on Myrna's blog a while ago now some note cards and that set me off - here are hers which were the inspiration, and were made last month. 

I  needed some note cards and thank you cards so they were perfect! Made quite a few thank you cards, plus a birthday card. 

 They were perfect for using up snippets, with the butterflies and the scallop on greetings, with ribbon to match. 

The folder is Leaves and Butterfly K Kingdom folder also used here and brayer with the Marianne dies of the small butterflies.

As this is snippet's cards am linking over Miss to the Snippets playground.. :D think will just scape in the gate before lock up!

 

My first post after cataract surgery on Monday 22nd, so I want to let kind folk who were thinking and praying for me that things are proceeding just as they ought. if I take it slow ans steady :D all goes well. 

Still cant read close up well but suspect that wont happen till can go for new glasses four weeks after surgery, so towards end of May. Computer magnifier is a treat!

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x

WOYWW + Felted Wool Slippers Greek style!

Hullo there everyone.

Yes amazing isn't it?  it is time for WOYWW, or for the uninitiated it is: What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - or floor, or wherever you work?! Be game - show us your creative space - a bit of "Look-see" over at our honorable leader's blog - Queen Julia, of the Stamping Ground!
I am sorry in advance as commenting is limited too for next few weeks or so.
Presently flat out with jobs, getting ready for other cataract surgery on 22.4.13, so very little time and not the eyes for it after Monday anyway.. 

And here is my desk.

 

You can see two new stamps. I needed a "Praying for you" stamp and after much searching found one (see top one and then saw on same seller on eBay had an ultra cute Penny Black with reasonable post to Oz - after all Di's stickeroos have decided NEEDED one (okay Di succumbed (tis all your fault ;D). Also there is new card made for coming birthdays and some LOTV images have to make three baby cards so better get cracking.

Artneko ATC pansy stamp painted in iridescent paint also on desk top right under card.

 

These slippers are from the Parthenon in Athens made from Felted wool and so have put these in for Jo and Annie and all folk who like to felted wool slippers!! aren't they awesome - my family in Uk had pair I borrowed last year when there. So bought these for me as surprise when over in Greece.

Aussie shot for today, the mother in law tongue is on flower again as it is the Eucharist Lily.. both so beautiful I think!

 Also dont think I have said a big welcome to a new wonderful encourager, even if have will welcome her twice :D - thanks Ria, see her blog here!! a WOYWW-er too :D 

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x
PS sorry Di, I forgot to link the pansy card over to the playground for your snippets challenge as the stamping etc was done ages ago and  most of the card and ribbon from snippets.

Polished Stone Technique with a Twist/ Alcohol, Inks, Photo paper + WOYWW!

{Warning - picture busy post} 

I found this idea on OSA (Oriental Stamp Art) for using inks, so thought I would have play.
Below is the original method - I changed it, using the ideas by Annette and mixed it with the plastic wrap post (back here for full step by step method, sent kindly by from Maggie Silvercrafter).

From Annette of Artneko (A.A.A) stamps:

*You will need:*

 Kodak 4" x 6" glossy cardstock or some glossy cardstock, cut the sheet into quarters.

isopropyl alcohol (ie Rubbing alcohol in Oz, could buy alcohol swabs, or your first aid kit, etc.)

cotton balls (cotton wool)

3 alcohol inks in the same family (shades of blue and purple...pinks, reds,and yellow...any colours will do)

Gold leaf or other metallic marker (optional)

Bull nose clip or punch clothespin (optional)

Latex gloves to avoid staining your hands for a week (optional)

Newspaper or protective covering for your work surface

Glimmer mist if you want sparkle to your finished background

*Directions:

Wipe an alcohol dampened cotton ball across the surface of the glossy paper.

Add 1-2 drops each of 3 alcohol inks.

Dab the cotton ball to fill in areas with color. Leave some areas white if

you wish.

You can also swipe the cotton ball across the glossy cardstock if you

prefer.

Add a drop or two of metallic marker to the cotton ball and dab areas.

Create several.

Spray with glimmer mist. (optional)

Allow the cardstock to dry; use bull nose clip or peg if desired.

Stamp as desired.

Did not have all the ingredients suggested by Annette so thought would use what I had, and see what happened.Here, in above photo, you see a sheet of photo paper wiped over with a cotton ball and Adirondack blending solution. I do have other alcohol inks but could only find the metal ones and a few re-inkers in dye ink.
Here I am using the DI Rusty Hinge and  Green shutters, with either gold or brass (?) in alcohol inks. 
Used the same plastic wrap {from this post here} as used on earlier piece to spread the ink around without getting inky fingers (which was Pink DI and Blue from SU, with silver), so some silver came on it. The small shot at the top was when it was wet. 
I had to put it in our drying cabinet to dry as it is too humid here even at this time of year, for this sort of paper to dry out otherwise.
On right is card finished as my father's birthday card.
 As with a lot of things I could not bare to cover up the gorgeous colour so left most of it showing.
Embossed the piece of photo paper with Tim Holtz folder, hence the distress look with it. Then mounted on and enlarged scalloped square black card.
Stamped in permanent ink un-named Tiger stamp (from USA, c.1990's bought in Brisbane or Sydney) on cork. It also was bought about 15 years ago, die cut with large labels, stamped "About Art Accents" signature chop to make it Oriental, with Oriental "AAA" happy birthday. Cut in black one of Spellbinder labels, and mounted cork happy birthday with black ribbon. Mounted on hand made paper [kind of cork looking] from the local beach-side markets.

From end of sheet, stamped Artneko Tiger, Oriental stamp + Script embossing folder.

Closing with floral bouquet from Oz , growing on the side fence is a less common variety called Jamaican Sunset of the Allamanda vine - this one creeping over from my neighbour's.
-
The fragrant frangipani are finishing now autumn is here in Oz.
For all WOYWW-ers please pop over to Julia's blog hop here to see all these great inspiring desks. I am sorry in advance as commenting is limited too for next few weeks or so.
Presently flat out with jobs, getting ready for other cataract surgery on 22.4.13.
I would just like to close with a special thoughts and prayer for a dear WOYWW-er who lost her wonderful husband suddenly on Sunday. Sending you many thoughts and prayer dear Maggie Silvercrafter. She is a follower of many of your blogs; her name is one I see many times over when joining them. Her heart is a very kind heart - God bless you especially at this time, my dear Maggie.

 Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x

Alcohol Inks + Metal Embossing, Oriental Black + Green mingle, WOYWW 200!

Hullo there again everyone!

Yes, it is time for the 200th (wow, Julia dunnit, truly she did!) WOYWW, or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - or floor, or wherever you work?! 
Please take time to share your creative space, at our honorable leader's blog, Julia Dunnit @ the Stamping Ground!

My desk ~ playing with inky joy! Saw on a WOYWW desk (Debs ~ see here) two weeks ago about tins and the embossing thereof.

Next day at a friends house and having a teeny tin of coke (200ml size) and much finer than normal cans of drink. I struggle with my hands and have never tried cutting up bigger ones but thought would give these a go..
Voilà! the results, using Cuttlebug Clockworks embossing folder, blending fluid, alcohol inks - Brass + Pesto from Adirondack.

 
The Oriental Stamp Art Mingle "Black + one colour - Green" is the colour choice for April, here is my offering.

Artneko ATC stamp set - Chrysanthemum, and these are on half price sale the moment!

To see other cards using these ATC look here and here.

 The image was coloured with Prismacolor pencils, and PanPastels for background. 

Mounted on Couture creations Victorian rectangle with embossed foil and black  outline. Used brand new Craft Concepts embossing folder called "Silver fern" + wiped it over lightly with white chalk pad, to highlight embossing.. 

{wow! actually found we had a newsagent with a good array of crafty goodies - embossing folders, cardstock, stamps, few dies as well, came out with nice goodies about 15 mins south of here, which is probably just as well :D}  

Added ribbon and two small brads.

I will close with few images of Oz, the first is a beautiful tree in flowering around town, for our autumn.

Golden Penda Tree (see link here) , a native street tree, in flower at the moment.
Very popular and you can see why!!

Sunset at the harbour last week, still folk about in boats it was so lovely.

For those who like illuminated posts there is one down below (or click here). I am the  monthly SAM ( Stamp Artist of the Month ~ click here) over at the Oriental Stamp Art, which was a total surprise! There are so many wonderful stamp artists in the international Yahoo group.

A special welcome to my wonderful new encourager who is also is from Oz - Annette from Oz, a newbie on WOYWW last week!!

Thanks so very much everyone for popping over for a peek and a chat - thank you especially if you do say hullo! 

And may God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,

Shaz in Oz.x

PS Stickeroo blogger who guess correctly was Mrs A. a big congrats will email you asap - see post here .

Illuminated Psalm 62 vs 8 ~ Step by Step Calligraphy

Hullo there everyone - this has been shown in parts before, but not all in one place. Thought would put it in one place for overall idea.

It is in part being showcased on the April Oriental Stamp Art (OSA) website in their monthly SAM , along with this OSA card, which is quite an honour! I am thankful to them for that. One of the two projects is calligraphy, which have been doing since teens. Here are of photos of the steps in the work. 

A small piece of Chinese calligraphy inserted below the text, executed by a Chinese calligrapher in China; it says "Sha-ron". My sister brought it back from China for me.)

Step 1: Once given the Bible verse to do (only work on commission) I work layout on scrap paper, working out where the word emphasis should be.
When doing a text, the meaning of words rule the design, not the other way around.
Calligraphy means "beautiful writing". 

 If you can't read writing easily, I think it is a work of art rather than true calligraphy. 

(To see step 1 and 2 ~ Click here)

Step 2: Once have worked out layout, then design it on tracing paper. Tracing paper is used for a few reasons.

Primarily because the decoration takes fiddling. Good paper may be ruined with erasing, etc. as it takes away the tooth of the paper.

Secondly if asked to do it again, I have it to this stage already to lift out of my file. It saves a lot of time. It is not unusual to be asked again as have a portfolio, with discount for ones done before, because of time saved.

Step 3:

The large piece is inked in on good quality art paper ready for laying down of colours with Gouache paints, and some watercolours - see palette above. Step 4: 

Here all the painting finished and now working the building up of the gold leaf, layer by layer (about 5 to 10, it varies).
Step 5:

 Now it looks like some of red paint has bled but the glue size has red paint in it to see where have done it and it is dry in a few spots so it is red, mostly the pale pink bits are where the gold leaf will be.

Step 6: The final work is gilded with gold leaf (23 carat Gold leaf on tissue paper, is used. Gilding mix = PVA glue, water and paint). Re-inked with fine ink pen all over, for final touch up. A piece of work this size takes 50+ hours, from beginning to end.

Final two pictures show the completed work. I have done this text a number of times now and it is one of my great favourites - such precious words.

The verse is from Psalm 62 vs 8 "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." 

("Selah" ="Meditate" in Hebrew). 

Praise God for His unfailing love and place of refuge in this troubled world.
Praise Him most of all for the gift of salvation found in His Son. 

Thank you for all who have come to view this work. I appreciate it. 

I pray this verse blesses your heart as it always does mine - in the LORD we find a place of Hope, Peace, and Refuge in time of storm.

God bless your day wherever you may be. Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat,

Shaz in Oz.x 
I would like to link this post over to Word Art Wednesday.

P.S. if you would like to see more of the Calligraphy on this blog - click here 

or posts on Oriental Art Stamping (OSA) - click here ~ thank you!